Can you still Water Plants during a Hosepipe ban?

Last Updated on 14th March 2012
Written By Ainsley

You can certainly still water plants during a hosepipe ban but the way you water them will have to change. Using a hose with a spray gun or sprinkler can be wasteful, during the ban you are encouraged to use less water so these methods are banned.

However there are still plenty of other ways to water the garden and stop your plants from wilting. We have listed the methods below that are allowed and recommended during a hose pipe ban.

Before you look at the method of watering that are allowed it is also worth noting that when you water is also very important. Watering the garden at night when it is cooler allows the water to soak into the ground before it evaporates in the heat of then sun. This way the water can soak down below the surface where the plants roots can take in the water without losing moisture to the sun.

Watering with Tap Water from the Water Mains with a Watering Can

You can still use tap water to water your plants but this can no longer be done using a hose pipe. You can either use a container such as a bottle or use a watering can.

If you are going to do this then it would be worth also considering using a water butt where you can to reduce the amount of mains water used.

Watering with a Water Butt during the Hosepipe Ban

water butt watering kits during hose pipe ban

Harvesting rainwater into a water butt is a very resourceful way of watering plants during the ban. A water butt can be connected to the downpipe on your house or greenhouse. By linking a number of water butts together you can store a large volume of water but you are reliant on the rain to keep topping the water butts up.

If you have a large garden with many plants then a water butt may not be the entire solution but it will certainly help and reduce the amount of tap water used

Watering with a Water Butt and Hose during the Hosepipe Ban

You are not restricted to trudging up and down the garden with a watering can when using a water butt, there are alternatives. In most cases you can attach a hose to a water butt and where gravity allows you can water your plants through either a standard hosepipe or drip irrigation systems. This will only be possible where the water butt is raised higher than the plants you are watering.

Hozelock provide special starter kits for watering from a water butt.
These kits can be used to water beds, borders and containers.

Watering with a Water Butt and Pump during the Hosepipe Ban

Using a water butt pump is an extremely time efficient way of watering the garden where you have a good supply of water harvested. A water butt pump will provide enough water pressure to power spray guns and sprinklers, giving you the ability to water the way you always have but without using mains water.

You will use water fairly quickly so beware or link a number of water butts together for greater rain water harvesting.

Watering with an Automatic Watering System during the Hosepipe Ban

automatic watering kits during a hosepipe ban

You may not be aware of automatic watering systems, they are a simple network of tubes and drippers that run around the garden and allow plants to be watered in a simple and efficient way. They are exempt from the hose pipe ban where the system is controlled by a timer, has a pressure regulator fitted and the water is dispersed by small drippers.

These systems are becoming very common as they allow you to water your plants easily once set up. You often see these systems in commercial properties such as pubs and restaurants where they are used to water beds and hanging baskets.

You can get basic kits that contain all of the components to get you started and they can be fitted at home without professional help.