Alton Local Food Initiative (ALFI) has been experimenting for a few years with simple gadgets for reducing the time and effort volunteers spend watering, and to conserve water on our plots.

These will be demonstrated at the Hampton Court Flower Show in July in our Allotment exhibit, which showcases our plots, planters, events and philosophy.

Our successful experiments include:

* Water-retaining gel in our hanging baskets to reduce watering frequency.

* Porous ceramic cones attached to drinks bottles which water containers via capillary action, again useful in hanging baskets, pots and planters (pictured above left).

* Large terracotta pot ‘reservoirs’ sunk next to our plants. We can fill these once a week, and capillary action will suck the water through the pot side as the roots of the plants need it (pictured below left).

* Pipes drilled with holes along their length and sunk into the ground, so water can be poured in at one end, getting moisture several centimetres below the dry surface (see photo of them at The Railway planters, right).

Here are some more general watering suggestions:

1: Don’t water established trees or shrubs: they have big, deep root systems. Don’t water established grass: it will survive.

2: In containers, use a peat-free compost, which retains more moisture, and is easier to wet when it dries out. Use saucers under pots. Use bigger containers that don’t dry out so quickly. Soak hanging baskets in a big bucket or bowl for several minutes rather than trying to water in situ.

3: In the ground, give plants a good start by adding plenty of compost to the planting hole, then watering really well before you put the plant in: let the roots follow the water down. Don’t keep watering the surface.

4: Mulch generously around plants. This is more effective when the soil is still damp in early summer so do it now.

5: Sink empty plant pots, of any kind, next to plants, with the open top just above the surface; use them to get water deep into the root zone.

6: Some vegetables need more water than others. Spinach and lettuce are notorious for going to seed in drought. Grow leaf veg in a shadier spot (or provide shade), and choose bolt-resistant varieties.

7: Add compost to your soil every year. You don’t need to dig it in.

8: Get a moisture meter; insert it into the soil next to a plant, and don’t water unless the meter reads in the “dry” zone.

9: When you do water, water really well! “Lots, seldom”, not “little and often”. Dribbling some on the surface does nothing but encourage slugs.

10: Water in the early morning, if possible, to reduce evaporation.

These strategies not only conserve water, but will increase the success of your planting and growing, even in dry conditions.

Just look at the planters opposite The Railway Arms now, a few months later, and compare to the photo when Ellis (our water conservation guru) put the pipes into the planters and improved the sandy soil with compost: the herbs are thriving!

Carefully snip a few if you need them.

Also see www.altonlocalfoord.org.uk or email [email protected] for more information.

We always need more volunteers – come and join us, it’s fun!