Monty Don has shared advice on how to water your plants to reduce water now that there is a hosepipe ban. The gardening expert, who appears on BBC Gardeners World, has advised fans not to get rid of old sink water.
Last summer during the heatwave the BBC host shared that a bowl of washing up water is perfectly good on floral plants. As reported by Birmingham Live, he said: “I’m clutching a bowl of washing up water - grey water - because in the very dry conditions we've had you need to use whatever water you can.
“Grey water, whether it's a washing dishes or yourself, is perfectly good on floral plants. Don't use it on edible food."
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Monty added: “Let it cool down of course, and I've got it here for this clematis.” He continued: “But because it's a young plant, it means that its root system is fairly small. So, therefore, it's not able to access the moisture that might be deeper down in the soil, so I'm having to make sure it is really well-watered.
“And clematis is one of those plants that really needs water. So grey water is perfect for them.” South East Water has introduced a hosepipe ban for its customers in Kent and Sussex, citing an increase in demand.
Although there are some exemptions, such as for people with disabilities,but, for most people, watering their garden, washing their car or filling up a paddling pool is now prohibited and those breaching the restrictions could face a fine of up to £1,000.
Greg Clark, the Conservative MP for Tunbridge Wells, told The Times: "Their only job is to deliver drinking water. But in my constituency, they have run out of water twice in six months - once just before Christmas when we had a cold snap, and now after a small and unexceptional heatwave.
"What they're describing in terms of people working for home is by no means specific to this area. There has been for some time a tendency for people to work more from home. A water company should be able to predict and accommodate for this."
A spokeswoman for the water regulator Ofwat told The Times: "South East Water must do better to predict and manage operational issues, help customers, and engage with them on what is happening and why. Customers will be asking why, for the second time in six months, their water company is being caught out by the weather."
