The garden has finally come to life after a long winter. It sprouts and grows in pots, planters and beds. But it is not certain that you can water your plants and lawn as much as you want, when you want. Precious drops Many municipalities in South-East Norway are introducing watering restrictions these days. Almost all the municipalities in Vestfold have done so. It also has Midt-Telemark, Kristiansand and Nesodden. That’s not unusual at this time of year. It is usually drier in the summer, and we use more water. The municipalities make rules to ensure enough water for everyone and good enough water pressure when fighting fires. Do you follow the municipality’s watering restrictions? No, I don’t care about that. I water when I want. Yes, everyone must share in the benefits. I cannot follow such rules. Show result In Tønsberg, the watering restrictions apply from the end of May to August. It costs a lot of money to clean and deliver water. Therefore, the municipality does not want precious drops to be wasted. – We must use the water resource in a sensible way, says Øyvind Myhre, business manager for technical operations in Tønsberg. Øyvind Myhre is business manager for technical operations in Tønsberg. Photo: Veslemøy Prøis / news Check your municipality’s website if you are wondering whether watering restrictions have been introduced where you live. Hope for the garden The result does not have to be withered flowers and discolored lawns. Gardener Geir Mellingen at Gjennestad in Stokke knows what makes the garden healthy and lush. And that without breaking the municipality’s rules. – Your plants don’t have to die if there are watering restrictions, but your plants will die if they don’t get water, he says. Geir Mellingen, gardener at Hageland in Gjennestad in Stokke. Photo: Veslemøy Prøis / news So there is hope for the garden. You just have to make sure you water correctly, explains the gardener. Here are Geir Mellingen’s best tips and tricks: Make sure the water does not evaporate Cover soil in pots or beds, for example by using grass after mowing the lawn. Bonus: the plants get fertilizer when the grass rots. Leftovers from lawn mowing can be used to cover soil in pots and flower beds, to prevent the water from evaporating quickly in the hot sun. Photo: Veslemøy Prøis / news Water only where you need to water Spreaders waste water because they water everywhere. For example, use drip hoses in the beds, which emit moisture regularly. It reduces consumption. Then you can water with a jug if necessary. Spot irrigation in a flower bed. Then not so much water is wasted. Photo: Veslemøy Prøis / news Save rainwater It rains occasionally. Collect water in a large tank and use it for irrigation. A large bucket or tub can be used to collect rainwater. Photo: Veslemøy Prøis / news Plant as close as possible Plant the flowers close. Photo: Veslemøy Prøis / news Cover the entire area of your beds with plants. Then there will be less weeds and less evaporation. Eliminate weeds If you let weeds grow wild in your garden, they use a lot of water. If you bother to weed it out, the plants you want there will get more of the water you give them. Weeds steal water from your plants. Take a roof and close it away, advises the gardener. Photo: Veslemøy Prøis / news Enjoy yourself in the garden Gardening should be pleasant. Don’t lose the joy of the garden even if you can’t water when you want. Go out into the garden and enjoy yourself, is the last call from the gardener. Gardener Geir Mellingen finds a lot of joy in green plants. Photo: Private
ttn-69
Now you have to save water – this is how you save the garden – news Vestfold and Telemark – Local news, TV and radio
