Watering an allotment

Water thoroughly but less often, early in the morning, at the base of the plants, and use a can rather than a hose. Most sites don't allow hosepipes, so catch rain from your shed roof in water butts.

On a shared site, water is often the job that eats your time in summer. Carrying cans from a trough is hard work, so it pays to water well rather than often, and to catch every drop of rain you can.

Water less often, but properly

The RHS advice is to water less often but more thoroughly, and to let the surface dry before you water again. A deep soak encourages deep roots.

• When: early morning is best. Evening is fine, but leaves that stay damp overnight can encourage pests and fungal disease. Avoid the heat of the day.
• Where: at the base of the plant, not over the leaves.
• How: a watering can is the most water-efficient method and gives you the most control.

Which crops need it most

Quick-growing leafy crops such as lettuce and spinach like evenly moist soil. Root crops such as carrots and beetroot need water less often.

A few crops have moments when water really counts:

• Runner beans crop best with plenty of moisture at the roots, especially once they start to flower and form pods.
• Potatoes need watering in dry weather for a good crop.
• Onions want water in dry spells, but stop once the bulbs have swollen in mid-summer, or they may not store as well.

Raised beds dry out faster than open ground, so check them more often.

Keep the water in the soil

A mulch of organic matter at least 5cm thick cuts water loss from the soil. The RHS suggests putting it down between late autumn and late winter. If you're going no-dig, you're mulching anyway.

Catch rain from your shed

A shed or greenhouse roof is free water.

• Fit guttering and a downpipe into a water butt.
• Join two or more butts together with a connector kit to store more.
• Keep a close-fitting lid on each butt, and keep the gutters clear of leaves.
• Clean the butts once a year. If the water smells, empty and clean the butt rather than adding chemicals.
• Avoid using stored rainwater on seedlings, as it can carry damping-off diseases.

Ask your site before adding butts or guttering to a shared structure. Some councils, such as Bolton, need permission for sheds and greenhouses in the first place.

Hoses, sprinklers and troughs

Few allotment sites allow hosepipes and sprinklers. Your tenancy agreement will say what's allowed. Before you buy any hose kit, ask:

• Are hoses allowed at all, and on which taps?
• Do they have to be hand-held, or can they be left running?
• When is the water turned off for winter?
• Can I dip cans straight into the trough, or is there a rule about that?

During a drought your water company may bring in a hosepipe ban as well, which applies on top of your site rules. VERIFY: find a GOV.UK or Ofwat page on temporary use bans and whether they cover allotments.

FAQs

How often should I water my allotment?

There's no fixed schedule. Water thoroughly, then wait until the surface has dried before watering again. Leafy crops need more regular watering than roots.

Is it better to water in the morning or the evening?

Morning. Evening watering is OK, but leaves that stay wet overnight can encourage disease.

Can I use a hosepipe on my allotment?

Only if your site allows it, and few do. Check your tenancy agreement.

Your next step

Check your tenancy for hose rules, then mulch your thirstiest beds and set up a water butt by the shed. For crop-by-crop timings, see the crop guides.