The "Grow Your Own" Thread

[lemonjelly]

Both posts are spot on, I think. I am definitely going to do a rethink on what I grow next year. I have two water butts, one collecting off the garage roof and one collecting off the shed. I have had to supplement watering with the hosepipe. I only have a small garden.

I have 2 water butts. I've had to raid half the pond too.

 

[Dennisons Wrong Foot]

I have rain barrels holding almost 3,000 litres when full. Different climate in south texas obviously, but they will be completely empty if it does not rain in the next 2 weeks.

 

[Wolf Hunting]

I have rain barrels holding almost 3,000 litres when full. Different climate in south texas obviously, but they will be completely empty if it does not rain in the next 2 weeks.

Can you/ are you allowed to top them up from a hosepipe or domestic supply?

 

[Dennisons Wrong Foot]

Can you/ are you allowed to top them up from a hosepipe or domestic supply?

I can top them up, but why? I could just use the hosepipe to water everything directly instead. In fact that's what I did today.
There are restrictions here on using irrigation systems - only allowed on your designated day and at certain hours. Hand watering is allowed 24/7.

 

[Wolf Hunting]

I can top them up, but why? I could just use the hosepipe to water everything directly instead. In fact that's what I did today.
There are restrictions here on using irrigation systems - only allowed on your designated day and at certain hours. Hand watering is allowed 24/7.

Do you do all of that other stuff?
My neighbour (4 doors down) has a massive tank in his garden that all the rainwater from his roof (both sides) goes into and this water (grey?) is used to flush all his toilets and washing machine. He has a big tank at the side that he uses for watering his plants and garden.

 

[Dennisons Wrong Foot]

No. Since retirement (18 months ago) I have tried to remove all grass from our garden (front and back) and replace with xeriscape shrubs that will not only look better but also attract birds/bees/butterflies.
We have been in a drought for 6 years and there are concerns about the long term water supply for much of South-West USA. I decided to increase the number and size of rain barrels around our house - 4 × 50 gallon and 2× ibc totes. But summers here are so hot, and rain so infrequent, that the garden will inevitably use all the rain I collect.
Feasibly I could go further and have a large cistern but I would be venturing too far out of my comfort zone and permits would be required.
My goal was to water all the plants with a watering can, but back pain means I may have to install drip feeds to water more effectively and consistently.