There has been a drought in Saxony for weeks. For open bodies of water, there is a water withdrawal ban in almost the entire Free State. Allotment gardeners worry about their plants.
Dresden (dpa/sn) - Saxony's allotment gardeners are struggling with water shortages after the long-lasting drought. "Only about 30 to 40 percent have their own well and irrigation is difficult with the surface water collected in water barrels alone," said the President of the Saxony State Association of Allotment Gardeners, Tommy Brumm, on request. According to him, the association currently has 191,000 members.
According to Brumm, new wells are not currently being approved in Leipzig, but it is still feasible in other regions. "But you also have to be very careful when taking water from wells. If it happens too quickly with powerful pumps, there is a risk of the well being sealed." In most regions in Saxony, the withdrawal of open water is currently prohibited due to the drought. "And the allotment gardeners stick to it," emphasized Brumm.
The worst and also most expensive solution is to take it from the public water pipe. "This should only be done in emergencies," Brumm said. One solution could be cisterns that catch and collect water all year round. However, this cannot be implemented at all locations and is also expensive. "The costs of a few thousand euros are not small for a community of two to three allotment gardeners."
The plants need water regularly throughout the year. According to Brumm, an apple tree needs up to 80 liters per week, a vegetable patch up to 15 liters per square meter per day - a flower bed even up to 30 liters. "The most frugal are herbs and old types of vegetables with less than ten liters per square meter and day," says Brumm.
