Green tips for an Easter garden

Garden

Families are being urged to think green as they begin to spruce up the garden ready for the summer.

The recent spell of warm weather in the run up to Easter has got people in the mood for a trip to the garden centre over the long weekend break and United Utilities wants to let gardeners know they can take care of the environment as well as their blooms when planning their planting.

United Utilities' Richard Blackwell, supply and demand manager, said although there were no water restrictions in the North West it made sense to use water wisely around the home throughout the year. He said: "We all want to be able to enjoy our gardens this summer and water is a precious resource, so it's important to strike the right balance between what we use in the home and garden and what we leave in the environment.”

There are some easy steps all gardeners can take to give nature a helping hand. Choosing plants and shrubs resistant to dry conditions, collecting rainwater in butts and using mulches in the garden can all help.

Top waterwise tips for the garden include:

• Get your butt into action - Use a water butt to collect rainwater. Then when the bedding plants are ready for watering you’ll already have your own store of rainwater.
• Think Mediterranean – Herbs and olive trees will help give your garden a continental waterwise look.
• Magnificent mulches – Garden mulches keep the roots of plants moist during the dry spells.
• Weed them out – Get rid of the weeds. They will soak up water and grow even faster if you don’t act now.
• Plant the thought – If you're planting a new shrub, plant a piece of plastic pipe between the surface, that way you can get the water straight to the roots. And water in the early morning or early evening to help stop evaporation.
• Pave the way – Put patio plants in larger containers, which retain moisture better than small pots, and line the pot with plastic and top with mulch to help hold the water.

For more water saving tips and advice, and to order a free water savers pack check out www.unitedutilities.com/waterwiseinthegarden