So cross, my poor dried up pots….

We’re in a climate crisis so we now have to start adapting what we grow and if some plants die that’s the reality of things. This isn’t a one-off something to be cross about . The planet is in crisis. We need to drive less, use public transport more and not idle our engines when not necessary; small things like that. And as for water , reuse washing up water- grey water and bath water - when possible for our plants. Just a few thoughts , haven’t read
every post on this conversation So I’m sorry if this has upset some people.

It's amazing how many people just don't gave a feeling for gardening.
I've been given plants to restore to health and have done so only to find that when returned to their owners -they've died .
Put your seedlings in bowls of water in the shade to ensure adequate conditions.

HelterSkelter1

I bought some cheap washing up bowls from the local pound shop and put the pots in them. I can keep the pots topped up from the bottom. They are black and round so don't shout washing up bowl at me. And will stack in the winter in the shed.

What a fabulous idea! cheap as chips too and practical for other things!

I bought some cheap washing up bowls from the local pound shop and put the pots in them. I can keep the pots topped up from the bottom. They are black and round so don't shout washing up bowl at me. And will stack in the winter in the shed.

In this situation I’d be inclined to fill plastic bottles, pierce small holes in the sides and lay them down on the surface of the pots………the water would drip through into the compost hydrating the plants gradually rather than the water flooding out because the compost is solid. Alternatively, if you’ve no plastic bottles, old clean cotton rags drenched with water and placed on the compost would do it.

MaizieD

I’d stand the pots in something to catch the water rather than just let it run through and away. That should help to rehydrate the compost as it’s drawn back up into the pot.

Peat free and peat based composts are both very difficult to re-wet once they’ve dried out. A bit of loam in the initial mix would help.

Yes, that’d be good, but the pots are quite big and as yet I don’t have saucers for all of them.

Our pots are all in saucers (not sure that is the correct name)
Not only has this helped to keep them hydrated it ensures water for birds, bees, squirrels and foxes (I do not feed the foxes, but I wouldn’t like to see them thirsty)

We only have shrubs (greenery with white or very pale pink flowers, boring to some, but I like the sameness and serenity) in our borders, might need to give them a good drink from the rainwater harvesting tank.

I’d stand the pots in something to catch the water rather than just let it run through and away. That should help to rehydrate the compost as it’s drawn back up into the pot.

Peat free and peat based composts are both very difficult to re-wet once they’ve dried out. A bit of loam in the initial mix would help.

NotSpaghetti

Yes. I believe people with disabilities can be (or are) exempt.

I didn't hear this until this year.

My mum has a blue badge and lives with us.
We did think we could use our hose and inform the authorities that it was her job to do the watering😂
Just joking honestly.
She and I lived through the 1963 water shortage in HK. If there was a brownie badge for saving water we would have it!
The really scary thing is the situation the farmers are in.

I've been looking after a new neighbour's plants. Oh boy what a responsibility. She's put all the various pots near a large south facing window outside her flat. There are at least 20 of them. It's been so hot that I've been checking them every day. Some have shot up and really need repotting.
Oh the responsibility! However, they've all survived. I'll be glad to see my neighbour home. No payment necessary.

I would be annoyed too Witzend - maybe next time say "this will need to take (say) 30 minutes in total or plants will not get enough water and will die"

I recently watered next door's pots and more vulnerable shrubs.
It took 40-50 minutes every evening.

Yes. I believe people with disabilities can be (or are) exempt.

I didn't hear this until this year.

NfkDumpling

Hose pipe ban here in Norfolk. We're supposed to disconnect the hose completely so we're not tempted. Washing up water and watering cans only. I'm afraid I've had to choose which to help possibly live and which to leave to die.

At least I don't have to worry about cutting the grass!

Ring up your water board for an exemption if you're struggling....I did that for my mum .....she is now able to happily continue using her hosepipe

MayBee70

I do love sedums and think I’m just going to fill the garden with them next year.

I’m planning something along the same lines for where my lawn is now.
Inspired by karma.

JenniRen

Perhaps the ants were coming to the surface ready to fly?
The blackbirds were enjoying the ants here yesterday.

Thanks. I hadn’t thought of that. I didn’t want to go outside and see what they were eating.

How old a child are you talking about ? I would have
a) showed her exactly what was needed watching her do it before you went Children and non gardeners have no idea how much water plants need in a hot summer
b) I would not pay her till I got back, she would need to earn her wages

Luckygirl3

My DGS said he would water my pots, some of which are really big. I watched him do it ... 2 seconds per pot at most! I had to explain to him what was needed!

I imagine that’s what this girl did!
I know I was daft to assume that just because her elder sister did it perfectly well, 2 years running, the younger would be the same….

I asked one of my sons to water my tomato plants for a few days last summer when I unexpectedly had to stay with my very elderly mother. It turned out to be very hot, and on day 3 he sent me a photo of the tomato plants in the little greenhouse, completely shrivelled and dead.

30 minutes later he sent me a message saying that it was a joke, that he had used an app to create the image. I had to laugh once I got over the urge to kill him.

Sorry Witzend, I know yours isn't a joke and I totally understand how you must feel.

My DGS said he would water my pots, some of which are really big. I watched him do it ... 2 seconds per pot at most! I had to explain to him what was needed!

Perhaps the ants were coming to the surface ready to fly?
The blackbirds were enjoying the ants here yesterday.

My shrivelled up lawn was full of little birds this morning; tits, Robin, a wren. Not sure what they were eating but it was quite a sight.

Oh dear, did you pay in advance? Can any be saved?

I just noticed the heucheras in the garden bed looking dry and shrivelled so watered them with a canful each and hope they can be rescued.
A lot of our plants and shrubs and a small tree are looking very sad but some weeds in the lawn are thriving.

My ground cover sedums are thriving and have not needed any watering from me, in very dry somerset

To help water to be absorbed in very dry soil, put one drop of washing up liquid into the water

I have filled small paddling pool with water and let plants soak from bottom up
Which seems to work well so far

I do love sedums and think I’m just going to fill the garden with them next year.