Save water in the garden
Keeping your garden green doesn’t have to mean endless watering. You can save water by being water efficient in your outside space.
Be water-savvy when planting
Give plants a head start by adding water-retaining granules or absorbent compost to soil to reduce the need for watering. You can also add a layer of mulch (compost, leaf mulch, bark etc) on top to help trap in moisture.
Think carefully about plants and position – choose drought-resistant plants for your garden’s sunniest spots.
Let your lawn go brown
If your grass turns brown, don’t stress – it will soon go green again.
Grow your lawn a little longer to add shade to the ground, helping to keep it cool and moist.
If your lawn does need extra water, use water from rinsing fruit and veg or leftover drinking water.
Don’t water too often
Only seedlings and very young plants need frequent watering. Most plants can go for about five days without water – it even encourages stronger roots.
When you do water, fill a watering can from your water butt and aim for the base of the plant. Spraying water onto surrounding soil helps weeds!
Watering very early in the morning or late in the evening is best to minimise evaporation.
Get a water butt
This might be the best thing you can do for your garden. The average UK roof collects enough rain to fill a water butt 450 times.
You get a free, convenient source of water – many plants also prefer the acidity and temperature of water from a water butt.
Water butts come in all shapes and sizes – you can even fit them on balconies or tiny outside spaces.
More water saving tips
Click on the below for more water-saving tips
Drought resistant plants to brighten up your garden
Here are a few ideas for plants that will add colour to your garden without needing too much water. Generally, plants that are native to warmer climates deal with dry conditions better.
Lavender
This low-maintenance, fragrant plant will bring colour to your garden – and bees love it. It’s native to the Mediterranean, making it naturally drought-tolerant.
Echinacea Purpurea
These big, daisy-like flowers don’t take much watering, and they’ll give you beautiful blooms all summer long.
Ornamental grass
Varieties like Festuca glauca or Briza media add spiky style to pots and borders. They’re great for ground cover.
Salvia
The violet flowers and silvery leaves of salvia provide a wonderful addition to your garden in late summer. It will grow in dry soil without a problem.
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