Last year here in the UK there were certain areas where we had hosepipe bans - ours being one of them. Usually we get enough rain not to need to use a hose on plants but last year was the exception to the rule. I have a small lawn at the front of my house. OK. It turned brown but once it rained it recovered itself. Frankly, I can't be bothered standing like an idiot with a hose watering grass

However, I grow a lot of my own veg and seeing all my hard work shrivel up really angered me because the hosepipe ban included watering veg as well.

The stupid thing was, you could use a watering can to water anything so you ended traipsing back and forth, sloshing water all over the place which ended up being a false economy. You could water your plants any way you wanted so long as you didn't use a hose to do it. You were allowed to use the hose to fill the watering cans...err...duh

You could also use a hose or high-pressure water cleaner to clean the paths (came under health and safety incase of accidents on a slimy path) but if just ONE drop of water got on the plants, you could be prosecuted

The hosepipe ban was lifted earlier on this year but could be reinstated. As it happens we've had quite a lot of rain so the water tables are quite high just now. We decided that if we have a hosepipe ban this year we would divert the water from the bath and shower into water butts and use that.

At the moment I haven't bothered growing anything this year because all my veggie plants died last year and we're supposed to be in for a hot summer again this year. I wasted a lot of time, money and hard work. Usually I grow enough veg to last us through the winter. Brussells Sprouts, Broccoli, Cabbage - all shrivelled up and died The only thing that did well were my runner beans and the few carrots and parsnips I grew in large pots.

I could understand the authorities banning the use of hosepipes for lawns and flowers as they are not necessary, but banning the use for vegetables I couldn't understand as they are food items. I hate buying veg from the supermarkets because they are poor quality, full of pesticides and artificial fertilizers. I grow mine organically.