Parts of England and Wales are officially in drought, and prolonged dry weather can put pressure on plants, lawns and household water supplies. Thankfully, a few simple changes can help gardens withstand dry conditions. From watering at the right time of day to choosing drought-tolerant plants, small adjustments now could make a big difference.
According to gov.uk, the areas officially in drought in England are East Anglia, Hertfordshire and the whole of London, the Thames Valley, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, Devon and Cornwall, the West Midlands, and Wessex. Meanwhile, a drought has been declared across the whole of Wales.
‘We're likely to experience more frequent periods of hot, dry weather in the future, so creating gardens that are naturally resilient is becoming increasingly important,’ says Calogero Scannella, gardening expert and managing director of CS Gardens.
Here are five simple ways to help your garden survive and thrive during dry spells.
1. Change the way you water
When plants begin to look stressed during a heatwave, it can be tempting to water them straight away. However, watering at the right time and in the right way can help make every drop count.
‘Many people automatically reach for the hose when plants start looking stressed, but drought conditions call for a different approach,’ says Calogero. ‘Watering early in the morning or later in the evening allows more moisture to reach the roots instead of evaporating in the heat.’
For newly planted shrubs, trees and larger perennials, it's best to direct water deep into the soil rather than simply wetting the surface to encourage stronger root growth. Adding a layer of mulch around borders can also help the soil retain moisture for longer.
2. Prioritise young plants
If water restrictions or hosepipe bans are introduced in your area, it's worth thinking carefully about which parts of the garden need watering most.
‘With hosepipe bans becoming a reality in some areas, gardeners should think carefully about where water is being used,’ says Calogero. ‘Prioritising young plants, trees and vegetables over established lawns can make a significant difference while helping households stay within any restrictions.’
Newly planted specimens are particularly vulnerable while they establish their root systems, so they should take priority over plants that are already well established.
3. Don't panic about a brown lawn
A dry, brown lawn can make the garden look as though it is struggling – but there is usually no need to use large amounts of water to keep grass green during a prolonged dry spell.
‘A brown lawn can look alarming, but grass is far tougher than many people realise,’ says Calogero. ‘In most cases, it will recover when wetter weather returns, so there's little benefit in using large amounts of water trying to keep it green throughout a prolonged dry spell.’
Rather than trying to maintain a lush green lawn at all costs, allow it to go dormant during particularly dry periods. Once rainfall returns, the grass should begin to recover.
4. Choose plants that can cope with dry weather
One of the easiest ways to make a garden more resilient is to consider how much water plants actually need before buying them.
‘One of the smartest changes homeowners can make is choosing plants that are naturally suited to dry conditions,’ says Calogero.
Lavender, rosemary, and salvia are all good options for planting schemes where water is likely to be limited. As well as being relatively drought tolerant once established, they can bring colour and scent to borders.
Choosing plants suited to your garden's conditions can reduce the amount of watering they need and make the garden easier to maintain during dry spells.
5. Add a rainwater collection point
When rain does arrive, make the most of it by installing a water butt. It will collect rainfall from your roof, providing a handy reserve for watering plants during future dry spells.
‘Collecting rainwater is another practical step that can make a real difference,’ says Calogero. ‘Even a modest water butt can provide a useful reserve during dry spells and help reduce reliance on mains water when demand is at its highest.’
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