Another Summer, Another Hosepipe Ban – How to Help Your Garden Cope

We're facing another summer with a hosepipe ban, and unfortunately this really shouldn't come as a surprise. According to the Environment Agency, England faces a shortfall of nearly 5 billion litres of water every day by 2050 unless we change the way we manage and use water. With hotter, drier summers becoming more common, hosepipe bans are likely to become a regular feature of our summers rather than an occasional inconvenience.

The good news is that there are plenty of things we can do. Some will help your garden survive this summer, while others will make it far more resilient for the years ahead.

Keeping Your Garden Alive This Summer

Only water when plants need it

Resist the temptation to water every day. Most established plants can cope surprisingly well with dry conditions and don't need watering unless they're showing genuine signs of stress, such as wilting that doesn't recover in the evening.

Water wisely

With a hosepipe ban in place, you'll probably be using a watering can. While it takes a little longer, it also makes you much more aware of how much water you're using and encourages you to use it where it really counts.

Water in the evening or early morning when temperatures are cooler. Plants can absorb more water, and you'll lose far less through evaporation.

When you do water, water deeply rather than little and often. A thorough soak every few days encourages roots to grow deeper into the soil, making plants more drought-tolerant in the long run.

Reuse water

If you don't already have a washing-up bowl, now is the time to get one. Rinse fruit, vegetables, muddy hands and garden tools in a bowl of water, then use that water to hydrate a nearby pot or border.

Reusing water doesn't just help your plants and the planet—it can save you money too.

Rinse using a washing up bowl, and save the water for your plants

 

Water the roots, not the leaves

Always apply water directly to the base of the plant where the roots need it. Wetting the leaves wastes water and can encourage fungal diseases.

Mulch your borders

Ideally, mulch should be applied during winter, but if your borders don't already have a generous layer, it's still worth adding one now. Bark, compost or leaf mould will help reduce evaporation, keep the soil cooler and suppress weeds, which would otherwise compete with your plants for precious moisture.

Look after plants in pots

Plants in containers are particularly vulnerable during hot weather because they dry out much faster than those growing in the ground. If a hot spell is forecast, move pots into partial shade if you can, particularly during the hottest part of the day. This helps stop the compost drying out too quickly and prevents the roots from effectively "baking" in the heat.

 

Prioritise what matters

If you can't water everything, don't try. Focus on the plants you value most, whether that's newly planted shrubs, favourite roses, treasured specimens or vegetables you've spent months growing.

Accept a brown lawn

One of the hardest things for many householders is watching the lawn turn brown. The reassuring news is that most lawns aren't dead—they're simply dormant. Once the rain returns, they'll usually green up remarkably quickly.

And while it may be tempting to replace grass with artificial turf, I'd strongly advise against it. Artificial grass becomes extremely hot in sunny weather, can burn children's feet and pets' paws, provides no habitat for wildlife and, even with expensive products, often looks tired after just a few years. Instead, perhaps it's time to rethink what a beautiful summer garden looks like.

Building a More Climate-Resilient Garden for the future

Install water butts

If you haven't already, install as many water butts as your property allows. Several smaller butts positioned around the garden are often more practical than one large one, as you'll have stored water close to where you need it.

Feed and protect your soil

Each winter, top up your borders with a generous layer of compost, leaf mould or bark mulch. Healthy soil rich in organic matter acts like a sponge, absorbing rainfall when it comes and storing it for plants to use during dry periods. Improving your soil is one of the most effective long-term ways to make your garden more resilient to drought, while also improving plant health and reducing the need for watering.

Choose plants for a changing climate

As our climate changes, so should our planting choices.

Look for plants that are naturally adapted to cope with hot, dry conditions. Silver foliage reflects sunlight, hairy leaves help trap moisture, and thick, waxy leaves reduce water loss.

The challenge in many areas of the UK is finding plants that can tolerate both increasingly dry summers and our often wet winters, but there are plenty of excellent options.

Some of my favourites include Verbena bonariensis, Nepeta, Salvia – try cultivars such as ‘Mainacht’, ‘Caradonna’, ‘Royal bumble’, Stachys byzantina (lamb's ears), shrubs including Ceanothus and Choisya, ornamental grasses such as Stipa, and many Mediterranean herbs.

These plants not only cope well with dry conditions but also provide long seasons of interest and are loved by pollinators.

Salvia 'Mainacht' - loved by pollinators

Think carefully about containers

If you do want or need to use containers, choose the largest pots you can accommodate. More compost means a greater reservoir of moisture, so they'll need watering less frequently.

Think about insulating the root zone too. I've started lining containers with waste sheep's wool, which helps keep roots cooler during hot weather and retains moisture ready for when the plants need it. A layer of damp newspaper around the inside of the pot can also provide a simple, low-cost alternative.

Plant in layers

A layered planting scheme is one of nature's best ways of conserving moisture. Ground cover shades the soil, helping keep it cool and reducing evaporation. Medium-sized perennials fill the space above, while taller shrubs and small trees create valuable shade. Together they create a cooler microclimate where plants help protect one another from heat and drought.

Plant more trees

If there's one investment I'd encourage every home to consider, it's planting a tree.

That doesn't mean you need space for a giant oak. Many beautiful ornamental trees mature at just 3–5 metres, making them ideal for smaller gardens. Over time they'll cast shade, cool the surrounding air, protect nearby plants from intense summer sun and create a far more comfortable garden for both people, pets, and wildlife.

As well as personality and beauty, ornamental trees provide welcome shade on hot summer days.

Gardening for the Future

Climate change is already changing the way we garden. Rather than fighting against it, we need to adapt our gardens so they work with our changing conditions.

The gardens that thrive in the future won't necessarily be the ones that receive the most water—they'll be the ones designed with resilience in mind. By improving our soil, choosing the right plants and making thoughtful design decisions now, we can create beautiful gardens that are both more sustainable and better equipped to cope with the summers ahead.

If you'd like help creating a garden that's beautiful, practical and better prepared for our changing climate, I'd love to help you .

Get in touch to discuss your garden, or follow me here or on instagram for more practical gardening tips and seasonal advice.