Save water outdoors

Be water-savvy when planting

Help your garden thrive while saving water with a few smart planting tips:

Prepare your soil:

• Boost moisture retention by mixing water-retaining granules or absorbent compost into the soil
• Lock in hydration with a layer of mulch - compost, leaf mulch, bark, or similar materials help reduce evaporation.

Plant smart:

• Choose drought-resistant plants for the sunniest spots in your garden - they’ll need less watering and stay healthier in dry spells
• Use ground cover plants to protect bare soil, which dries out quickly in the heat.

Potting tips:

• Group pots together to create shade and reduce water loss
• Pick the right containers - light-coloured pots stay cooler, and glazed or plastic ones retain moisture better than terracotta
• Move pots away from hot surfaces like patios during heatwaves to prevent roots from overheating.

Don’t overwater your lawn

Most established plants and lawns are tougher than you think. Overwatering can do more harm than good - here’s how to keep your garden healthy and water-wise:

Smarter watering:

• Only water seedlings and young plants regularly mature plants can usually go five days or more without a top-up
• Encourage deep, strong roots by watering less often but more thoroughly
• Use a watering can filled from your water butt, and aim directly at the base of the plant - watering the surrounding soil only feeds weeds
• Water early in the morning or late in the evening to reduce evaporation and make every drop count.

Caring for your lawn:

• Skip the watering - it encourages shallow roots and wastes water
• Choose drought-tolerant grass seed when reseeding or starting a new lawn
• Don’t worry if it turns brown in dry weather - it’s just dormant and will bounce back with the rain
• Leave grass clippings on the lawn in early summer - they act as a natural mulch, helping to retain moisture.

Get a water butt

Installing a water butt might be the single best thing you can do for your garden - and the planet. The average UK roof collects enough rain each year to fill a water butt over 450 times!

Why it’s a win:

• Free, sustainable water on tap - perfect for your plants
• Better for your garden - many plants prefer the natural temperature and slight acidity of rainwater
• Fits anywhere - from large gardens to balconies and small patios, there’s a water butt to suit every space. If you don’t have a water butt, use some buckets.

More than just plant watering:

Make the most of your rainwater by using it to:

• Rinse off muddy boots, surfboards, or wetsuits
• Fill a bucket to wash your car
• Clean garden tools or muddy veg
• Wipe down windows
• Even power your pressure washer (with the right attachment).

Be water-wise when washing your car

Keep your car clean and conserve water with these easy tips:

• Does your car need washing? Washing a car with a hosepipe uses up to 480 litres of water, while using four buckets only uses around 32 litres.
• Check the forecast - rain might rinse off dust for free
• Try waterless car wash products for quick, eco-friendly cleaning
• Use a bucket and sponge instead of a hose to cut water use
• Fill your bucket from a water butt - plants love it, and so will your car
• Spot clean between full washes to avoid using water unnecessarily
• Wash early or late in the day to reduce evaporation.

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.