Amberol from Alfreton in Derbyshire pioneered the use of self-watering planters and containers for use by local authorities and now, in their 40th year, they believe their Aquafeed system is the best on the market.

“We have trialed our Aquafeed system for two years and the results from these two city councils are simply brilliant,” said John Williamson, Amberol’s head of marketing.

The Aquafeed system uses a series of highly absorbent wicks that draw water up from a built-in reservoir onto a capillary matting pad that disperses water evenly throughout the compost, ensuring even and constant moisture to prolong flowering, reduce maintenance and save precious water.

Changes in UK weather patterns are likely to mean that summers are becoming drier but interspersed with a combination of torrential rain and high wind. These three factors can create horrendous growing conditions for container plants.

City Councils in Birmingham and Nottingham have been using Amberol’s Aquafeed planters and hanging baskets over a two-year period, both are impressed with the results.

Gary McManus, Birmingham City Council’s floral enhancement manager, said: “Amberol’s Aquafeed system provides excellent labour and water saving benefits. Watering has been reduced to three times a week during the summer months showing a substantial saving in both labour and water.”

Glenn Springthorpe, Nottingham City Council’s nursery manager, said: “The containers are used throughout the city. We have experienced fantastic labour saving benefits. For example, the traditional hanging baskets, which the council has used in the past, needed watering daily. The Aquafeed system allows plants to draw however much water they need, meaning staff only need to re-fill the reservoir every few days.”

“Everyone in the public sector has to demonstrate clear environmental credentials and strict budgetary controls. Almost every local authority has street planters of some form and our trials with Birmingham and Nottingham clearly show that Aquafeed produces astonishing results that meet both of these criteria,” says John Williamson.

Amberol managing director, Patience Atkinson, agrees: “Water conservation is an increasingly important factor and our system optimises its use saving both water and money.”

The Aquafeed system is available in a wide range of sizes of barrier and half barrier boxes, wall and window boxes, hanging baskets, up-the-pole baskets, various styles of planters plus floral fountain and beehive planters.

Mixed in with the everyday hubbub of break times are the penguin bin’s encouraging comments of ‘thanks, that was the best meal I have had today’ and ‘thanks for your rubbish, we like being fed’.

In place for only a couple of days the talking bins have already had pupils at All Saints Primary School in Lanchester, County Durham, crowding round with their litter in the hope of promoting a chat with the penguins.

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We have pots of shapes and sizes suitable for growing anything from herbs through salads to tomatoes, beans and peas. Why not experience the joy of eating fresh! This range helps you to maximise your crop every time by providing water for the roots of the plants as they need it.

Never over watered or allowed to go dry, simply top up the reservoir twice a week in most conditions. Want a better crop? Add a little liquid fertiliser to the reservoir.

Don’t miss the thrill of picking your own straight from the patio or balcony. Plant the seeds and watch them grow, eat the crops. No pesticides, no freezing, no food chain, just sow, water, pick eat and enjoy the real taste of things like carrots and strawberries.