Community gardens ‘In Bloom’ thanks to water butts donated from Yorkshire Water

Yorkshire Water has donated 42 water butts to RHS In Bloom community groups across Yorkshire to encourage water saving during the ongoing water restrictions - 400 more are now looking for a good gardening community home!

The donation comes as part of a campaign to support Yorkshire’s gardening groups with saving rainwater where they can.  Yorkshire Water is now asking other community groups to get in touch to receive a free water butt for their community gardens or allotments.

Community groups, community centres, social clubs, man clubs, scout and guide groups, schools or allotments are being invited to ‘fill their boots with water butts’ and apply for one of the free water butts so they can make the most of the rain when it falls.  There are three different sizes to choose from (100L, 200L or 227L) for a limited time and are a great water-saving addition to any communal outdoor space for green-fingered fans to enjoy.  Groups can register for a free water butt by visiting:  www.yorkshirewater.com/save

Emma Rattigan, water efficiency manager at Yorkshire Water, said: “We are thrilled that we’ve already been able to help over 40 RHS In Bloom groups across Yorkshire by providing them with an additional source to collect rainwater, when it does occasionally pour! Now we want community groups and allotments to get in touch for a free water butt. 

“Water butts are a great way to catch precious rainwater from going down the drain as it's redirected into the container. It’s important that we all do our bit to save water where possible to put the hosepipes away and use greywater to help protect the environment and keep reservoirs topped up.”

Yorkshire Water has donated 42 water butts to community groups associated with RHS Yorkshire in Bloom to help in the nationwide campaign to save water.  Roger Burnett, chairperson, RHS Yorkshire in Bloom, explains:  “Despite the hot and dry weather we have encountered this summer, when it has rained the donated water butts have given 42 community groups an opportunity to capture this precious commodity and use it to nurture their blooms and floral displays.

“Water conservation is an essential element of the annual Yorkshire in Bloom Floral and Environmental Competition and our assessors are always on the lookout for new and innovative ways that our gardeners are adopting to save and reuse water. Yorkshire in Bloom are at the forefront of gardening in an environmentally friendly way and the partnership with Yorkshire Water has enabled us all to think carefully about how we use this precious resource.”

While the intermittent rainfall Yorkshire has seen over the last few weeks have provided much-needed relief for dry ground, gardens and the region’s rivers, the hosepipe restrictions remain in place in Yorkshire, as it has not been enough to improve reservoir stocks after six months of below long-term average rainfall in Yorkshire.

Below are some other ways you can reduce water usage in the garden:

Using 'grey water’ from your washing up bowl, after rinsing your veggies or plates, can be full of nutrients and a great source of water for plants

Opting for drought-resistant plants which require less water to thrive, such as lavender and verbena. Pollinators also love these plants!

Watering your plants early in the morning, or in the evening, so that water doesn’t evaporate in the heat of the day before your plants get chance to soak it up

Adding a layer of leaves, bark or compost over your flower bed helps to retain moisture and reduce the need for watering

Allowing your lawn to go brown - it’ll bounce back as soon as it rains