Hosepipe bans and veg plots

[nymphadora]

Any suggestions? 2 greenhouses I've moved everything in pots outside but they are still full of beds/gro bags. Loads of plots full of veg. Won't be watering the lawn & things like that but do I have to water everything with a can? Have a water barrel but it won't last long as it's not filling.

yep, watering can i'm afraid

Where have you got a hosepipe ban?? I am in London and it is megahot, but I don't think there is a ban here (hopes!). I think you will just have to use a large watering can. Not sure there is any alternative really.

They are talking later this week. Lake district

Kids going to have to help then! Can't do too much having pg problems in the heat!

Not heard of a ban in Manchester either.

But lots of pans/watering cans/empty milk cartons full of water

hosepipe ban astonishingly its the NW that is suffering - where on earth did all that rainfall go that happened at the end of last year?!?

We use a fish pond pump to pump out our bath water into one of our waterbutts when its empty. Not very good for veggies though.
Be really strict about a watering rotation - don't try and do all the plants every day - try a 3 day cycle with a really good watering each time. Keep a bole in sinks so that any run off water (like when you are trying to get hot water) is collected.

our 3 water butts are empty, but no sign of a hose pipe ban for us at the moment. no sign of rain down here either.

will check forecast for your area in a tick.

ok, have had a very quick glance. Probably not a lot of useful stuff for the nw this week I'm afraid.

Ta kitten

Some stuff has had two waterings today. The melons & toms are really struggling so they need water every day I've loads of stuff that needs loads of water, cos we usually get it

But most of the outside veg is ok on a rota.

Suggests light shower on Monday >

my toms are struggling too I have to say - every time I look at them they visibly wilt.

Could you try rigging up shade over your toms and melons? I'm thinking about doing this. And are you watering into a pot set beside the plants, rather than onto the ground, if you know what I mean? Have you got some compost you could mulch with after a really deep watering?

I'm going to follow OhYouBadBadKitten's advice on the 3 day cycle of really good watering followed by leaving it.

thats a good thought GrendelsMum. Might see if I can rig something up.

I just spotted this, which solves all our problems!

www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/03/070319091015.htm

I've moved all the toms I could into the more shady bits. Its the ones in raised beds in the green house/melons in grow bags. Have some huge bits of plywood around the melon green house but not doing enough. I'm watering from v close up into the holes in the grow bags and trying to fill them. The leaves are huge so should be covering the bags from drying out in the sun. They just are v thirsty plants.