Now here’s a sight many of us won’t be seeing for a while: a sprinkler gently watering a border.
I took this pic at the Inner Temple Garden the other day, where head gardener, Andrea Brunsendorf, was giving everywhere a soaking while she still could. Today, hosepipe bans kick in in many parts of the country, which means that sprinklers and hosepipes can no longer be used.
This is challenging for any gardener, but Andrea has three acres of garden to keep looking good. In fact, she’s not actually sure whether the gardens are covered by the ban or not. On the one hand, the gardens are commercial because they’re rented out for events and are open to the public – and so could qualify for an exemption. On the other hand they’re privately owned.
The gardens must be surrounded by some of the finest legal minds in the country, but no one seems to be able to give Andrea a definitive answer. So to be on the safe side she’s installing leaky pipes, which are permitted under the ban, and putting away the hoses. And, like gardeners everywhere, she’s keeping her fingers crossed for some rain.
Sprinklers are such a wasteful way to water. I am really surprised that this was in public view. A slow eaking hosepipes to the roots was always my preferred way in the good old days, (is it only day 1??), when we were allowed to water.
Sprinklers are such a wasteful way to water. I am really surprised that this was in public view. A slow leaking hosepipes to the roots was always my preferred way in the good old days, (is it only day 1??), when we were allowed to water.
Hi Jacqueline, Yes, it’s true, sprinklers are wasteful! But Andrea does have three acres to take care of and only a couple of staff. This one was carefully aimed at the border. At least we’ve had a bit of rain in the last few days to make life a bit easier…
Please note – leaking rather than eaking in 2nd comment!
Re the hosepipe ban (following more rain last night) another interesting occurance on my terrace this morning was lots of quite large lumps of transparent like jelly. Aliens hadn’t landed as I remembered giving my upstairs neighbour some water retention granules for her balcony pots.