So in the light of all that, it is a bit off-key to whinge about the state of my garden. But a hosepipe ban is coming, people.

Was it really so wicked to fill my water butt from a hose, storing it for later? I don’t think it’s immoral – but I still took the precaution of doing it at 4am, when the neighbours were asleep.

Then again, who can sleep at all in these temperatures? If I’m not sweating like an extra from Tenko, I’m fretting about the cost of running fans in every bedroom and the wellbeing of my window boxes.

Like so many other people, my garden is a source of delight. Watching my salvias wither and my scabious droop is genuinely upsetting. Even the lavender, planted this year, is struggling.

But gardeners understand that tap water is a precious resource – so how about a campaign to recycle so-called grey water left in the washing-up bowl, the bath and the shower?

I’ve been giving it a go. My dwarf patio pear tree is getting a daily dousing courtesy of the basin and is thriving. I’ve been scooping up bath water for the indoor plants because I’m not (yet) zealous enough to run up and down the stairs with a bucket.

But there are so many other ways not to waste water: when you turn on the tap for hot water, put a bowl underneath and collect the cold water. The same principle applies to running the shower.

Steaming veg? Wait for the water to cool then pour it over the hydrangeas. Rinsing out wine bottles and yoghurt pots for the recycling bin? Refreshing the dog bowl? Coffee dregs and cold tea? Save that liquid for your thirsty agapanthus.

And if your family insists on paying for bottled water, don’t let them tip the lukewarm leftovers down the sink – empty them onto your ferns. 

I’m sure Telegraph readers can offer a few tips to newbies like me who want to keep their borders brightly blooming with 50 shades of grey. Please do share your ingenious water wisdom and I’ll pass it on.

Do you have any water-saving tips? Let us know in the comments

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Originally Appeared Here