'I haven't used a hosepipe in 22 years' – professional gardener shares her effective DIY watering system using old tights

Despite signs of impending downpours, many hosepipe bans remain in place due to prolonged periods of drought. As a result of this, gardeners are still looking to ease the impact on their beloved gardens with clever ways to water garden plants.

This week I've discovered one professional gardener who has created a genius watering-pipe contraption to reach the roots of the plants that need it most.

This handy DIY watering aid means you don't have to use the hosepipe or waste water from a watering can on topsoil; it targets deep into the roots to ensure every drop counts. All you need to start using this savvy watering method is a piece of downpipe and a pair of old tights.

Avoid using a hosepipe: try the downpipe and tights watering method instead

Expert gardener Karen, who forms part of the team at Peter Nyseen, an award-winning plant and bulb supplier, explains how she hasn't used a hosepipe in two decades. She then helpfully demonstrates what she does instead.

"I thought I'd share with you my tip on keeping plants healthy during this long heatwave, drought and hosepipe bans," Karen starts. I haven't used a hosepipe in my garden for around 22 years now. I use a watering can. I water my drought-tolerant plants probably once a week, but I have plants I want to protect because they need more moisture down at the roots and this is the method that I use."

"I buy plastic pipe, which is this one (showing the FloPlast downpipe to the camera). It's a waste pipe, which is 2 metres long and 32mm in diameter. I cut it into 15cm strips and you get (roughly) 12 from one pipe; it works out at about £2.50 per length - so very, very cheap.

"I cover them in an old pair of tights and I can get six covers out of one pair," Karen explains. "I use only 10- to 15-denier tights, because anything thicker than that prevents the water from going through the little holes."

"The reason I put the mesh over them is to stop the slugs and snails from going in and finding a nice little home, coming out at night to eat my plants.

"I dig the hole around 13cm deep and then backfill it up again," she says while burying the pipe into the ground alongside the plant, leaving only the opening exposed to ensure it stays upright.

You then simply pour the water down the pipe until it fills to the top. "It goes directly to the roots so I only need to water maybe once every two weeks. The sun can't dry the water out and the plants respond by giving me a full summer of colour."

One very appreciative follower writes: "Excellent idea - I was considering the tubes used to water young trees, but this is a vastly cheaper way of doing it. This type of pipe won't shed like recycled squash/water bottles would do, either."

"I will do this with my tomato plants, who seem to need constant watering, thanks!" exclaims another.