Over the past few years this question often pops up whenever there is a shortage of water.  To irrigate or not and are you still a responsible citizen by watering your garden?

After the last couple of wet summers garden experts have commented how marvellous the countryside and gardens have been looking.  This is due to the plants not being under moisture stress, therefore the plants have been able to maintain good green leaves, grow well and lay down plenty of good strong flower buds which will help with the following year’s growth and display, ensuring their means of survival.

To our minds it is a question of choice in the garden. 

Gardeners can take the route as advised by water companies to look at their lists of plants for dry areas.   However we feel that if all the country was restricted to a plant list of merely 100 species... what a boring place it would be to live in!  Or we can choose to have an individual garden with the plants of our choice and decide to use water sensibly.

There are many things which you can do to help with moisture retention in the soil, such as incorporating organic matter, correct preparation of the ground, using mulches, keeping weeds down and not leaving the soil exposed to the sun.  With irrigation correctly applied we see time and time again spectacular results; of shrubs looking and flowering to their very best offset by a beautiful green traditional British striped lawn. Vegetables and fruits will yield to their full potential and not only will you have a bountiful supply but they will be will be around for longer, will remain fresh, firm and taste better.

All gardeners know that water is a vital part of establishing a garden and with the mounting cost of shrubs and trees it seems almost criminal that they should be allowed to die for the want of water.  

                                                              
What is important to us is that you have the right to irrigate your garden should you wish.  HOWEVER you have the responsibility to water the garden by using the most efficient means and to use your watering system, at a time of day when the demand on the water supply is at its lowest and most beneficial to the plant, which is usually at night.  ECP Group will do our upmost to help you achieve these goals.