Aldi's 75p staple owned by new parents will keep plants thriving WITHOUT a hosepipe
Following an incredibly dry spring and summer, hosepipe bans are being introduced by Yorkshire Water, Thames Water, Southern Water and South East Water.
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While the bans are in force, homeowners are not allowed to use hosepipes for activities such as watering plants or filling up paddling pools, with fines of up to £1000 issued to those who flout the rules.
With the weather remaining relatively dry, gardeners will be concerned about how their precious plants will cope with the heat.
However, Morris Hankinson, Director of Hopes Grove Nurseries has revealed how you can keep your plants blooming without flouting the ban.
Unused nappies
Morris revealed that unused nappies are great for placing in the soil around plants, as they retain soil really well.
"They retain water like crazy and release it slowly to the roots during any dry spells", he revealed
Nappies are super cheap, and can be picked up from Aldi for just 75p.
Waterbutts
With storm warnings in place for parts of the UK this weekend, now is a good time to invest in a waterbutt to collect rainwater in.
You can water your plants with the water you have collected, meaning you don't need to use any mains water to keep your plants hydrated.
Morris added that you can even use your own bathwater to water plants.
"It doesn't matter if it looks a bit scuzzy, as the traces of skin cells and mild soap can actually act as a natural fertiliser, so long as you use it within 24 hours", he revealed.
How to look after your plants in a heatwave, according to a plant doctor
KELLY Dyer, the Plant Doctor at Patch Plants is warning plant lovers about the adverse affects of unseasonably strong direct sunlight, and how to best look after both your indoor and outdoor plants during a heatwave.
Indoor plants:
Don't mist your plants as water will evaporate and could scorch them
Don't use aircon as it dries the air out
Don't let plants touch glass as they could get scorched
Monitor moisture levels to see if you need to increase watering
Outdoor plants:
Water your outside plants in the morning and evenings when it's cooler
When you water your outside plants, water the soil, not the leaves
If you have outdoor plants on a veranda, patio or balcony, you can keep them cooler and increase the humidity by wetting the hard surfaces
Pests are on the move so regularly apply natural bug control spray to indoor and outdoor plants
Recycle pasta water
Another cheap hack is to reuse the water you use to cook your pasta in.
"It's rich in starch and a great natural fertiliser. "It's rich in starch and a great natural fertiliser", the expert explained.
Sink a flowerpot next to your plants
Another simple trick is to sink a flowerpot in to the soil, next to your plants.
Morris explained: "This will help the water you apply sink down to the roots instead of evaporating on the surface."
Water plants in the evening
During the summer, it's best to water your plants in the evening, when it's cooler.
This gives the plants time to absorb the water before it is evaporated.
Mulch beds and containers
Morris recommended mulching beds and containers, as this helps to keep roots cool.
He explained: "You can use many different materials from bark chips to coir, even old newspapers, straw or lawn mowings.
"Climbers like clematis or passionflowers will even thank you for a paving slab covering their roots. "
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