With climate change increasingly affecting UK weather patterns, gardeners need to adapt to unpredictable conditions. According to a recent survey conducted by Suttons, 24% of respondents highlighted watering as their biggest gardening challenge.
Choosing resilient plant varieties, improving soil health, and adopting water-wise techniques are just some of the ways to help your garden to flourish through dry summers. Here, Rob Smith shares his top six tips for saving water and drought-proofing your garden.
Browse our full range of drought-tolerant plants for more inspiration.
1. Water wisely
With many areas experiencing reduced rainfall, it’s important to use water efficiently. Watering your plants in the early morning or late evening reduces evaporation and ensures more moisture reaches the roots. Watering your plants deeply, but less frequently, also encourages stronger root systems, making plants more resilient to dry conditions.
To deliver water directly to the roots, consider installing a drip irrigation system or using watering spikes. Not only does this reduce waste, it’s an easy way to keep your plants healthy and looking good.
2. Collect your own water
Install a water butt to collect rainwater for an eco-friendly way to keep plants hydrated while conserving resources. Simply position a water butt under a downpipe on your house, shed or garage to collect rainwater for use during dry spells. Choose a butt with a tap near the base and raise it on a stand or secure pile of bricks.
It’s also a good idea to collect grey water from your home. Surplus water from baths, showers, washing up bowls or tumble dryer reservoirs can all be used on the garden. Just avoid grey water that contains disinfectant or strong detergents.
3. Improve your soil
Improving your soil structure will improve its capacity to hold water and ensure plants are better equipped to withstand drought. Do this by incorporating plenty of organic matter, compost and green manures. See our tips on how to improve soil for more advice.
4. Lock in moisture with mulch
Mulching is an excellent way to retain soil moisture and suppress weeds. Applying a 5cm layer of organic mulch like bark chippings, compost or straw around plants helps to reduce evaporation, retain moisture and maintain soil temperature. Products like Strulch (straw mulch) also act as a natural deterrent to slugs and snails.
5. Choose drought-tolerant plants
Selecting plants that can withstand dry conditions is a sensible way to create a resilient garden. Mediterranean plants such as lavender, rosemary, and sedum thrive in hot, dry climates and, once established, require minimal watering.
Some of my other favourite drought-tolerant varieties for colour and drama include Osteospermum ‘Blush Collection’ and Agapanthus ‘Blush Pink’.
6. Add clever fillers to containers and baskets
Patio containers and hanging baskets require more watering than plants in the ground, but choosing drought-tolerant blooms and mixing water storage crystals into the compost will help. When planting up large containers, add a layer of old kitchen sponges or shredded pillows that might otherwise be thrown out. It’s a great way to keep the soil moist.
Quick tips on how to reduce watering
- Water in the cool of the evening so your plants have all night to soak the water up through their roots.
- Ensure that the water is directed at the soil and not at the leaves.
- Apply mulch to your beds, borders and pots. Grass cuttings are a free, readily available option.
- Disturbing the surface of the soil increases evaporation so avoid weeding and hoeing during hot weather.
- Choose drought-tolerant plants.
- Install an irrigation system that directs water to the roots and minimises waste.
Helping your garden to thrive while being mindful of water usage requires a little planning, but by implementing Rob’s solutions you can quickly reduce your reliance on tap water. Read our best expert advice on growing drought-tolerant plants for more helpful advice.
Lead image: Osteospermum Blush Collection (Hardy) from Suttons
