This summer was hard on plants in many regions, with much less rainfall than usual plus periods of high temperatures. At least last year’s wet winter left the soil and water butts well stocked.

If you don’t already have them, now is the time to add water butts to any greenhouses, sheds and outbuildings, ready to collect rainfall this winter.

DIY superstores are usually the cheapest source – but for larger gardens, consider IBCs (intermediate bulk containers). These “tanks on pallets” are often available at low cost from local factories and farms. They hold 1,000 litres – equivalent to about five standard water butts.

Fortunately for those for whom even a butt takes up too much space, the best place water is stored is naturally, in soil.

More water falls in winter than plants need a

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