How to Conserve Water in Your Garden During Dry Weather

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Conserving water doesn’t mean your trees and shrubs have to suffer. By watering more efficiently, improving your soil and making the most of rainwater, you can keep your garden healthy while reducing water use.

Here are some of the best ways to conserve water during dry weather:

• Water deeply but less often to encourage stronger roots.
  
• Collect rainwater with a water butt wherever possible.
  
• Apply organic mulch to reduce evaporation.
  
• Reuse suitable household water for ornamental plants.
  
• Prioritise newly planted and container-grown trees.
  
• Improve your soil with compost to help it retain moisture.
  
• Remove weeds that compete for water.
  
• Group pots together and move containers into partial shade during hot weather.

These simple techniques can help your garden remain resilient during dry spells, reduce your water bills and support healthier trees throughout the summer, even during a hosepipe ban.

Conserving Water In Your Garden During Spells of Dry Weather

Long, hot summers and periods of drought are becoming more common across the UK. This does mean we have to change how we're thinking about summer watering.

While warm weather is often welcomed by gardeners, prolonged dry spells can make it challenging to keep trees, shrubs and other plants healthy without using large amounts of water.

Many people also find themselves wondering whether they should continue watering during hosepipe restrictions or how they can reduce water use without putting their garden at risk.

The good news is that conserving water does not have to mean compromising the health of your trees.

By making a few simple changes to the way you water and care for your garden, you can use significantly less water while still helping your plants thrive.

Water More Efficiently, Not More Often

One of the biggest mistakes gardeners make is watering little and often.

Frequent light watering only wets the surface of the soil, encouraging shallow roots that dry out quickly during hot weather.

Instead, water thoroughly so moisture reaches around 15 cm below the surface, where most active roots are growing.

Water should be directed around the root zone rather than sprayed over leaves or paths where much of it is lost through evaporation.

Before watering, check the soil by inserting your finger a few centimetres into the ground. If the soil still feels damp, watering can often wait another day.

When water is limited, prioritise:

• Newly planted trees
  
• Young shrubs
  
• Container-grown plants
  
• Hanging baskets

Established trees with well-developed root systems are generally much better at coping with short periods of dry weather.

Read our blog for more summer watering tips

Water at the Right Time of Day

Timing can make a surprising difference.

Early morning is usually the best time to water because temperatures are lower and evaporation is reduced. Plants also have access to moisture throughout the day as temperatures rise.

Evening watering is another option, although leaving foliage damp overnight can increase the likelihood of some fungal diseases.

If using a hose, fit a trigger nozzle so water only flows when needed. Even better, use a watering can for greater control and to reduce waste.

Install a Water Butt

Rainwater is one of the best resources available to gardeners.

Installing a water butt beneath a downpipe allows you to collect and store rainwater from roofs, sheds or greenhouses, providing a free source of water during dry periods.

If you have enough space, linking two or more water butts together increases storage capacity and provides additional reserves during prolonged dry weather.

Rainwater is also naturally softer than mains water, making it particularly suitable for many garden plants.

Reuse Water Around the Home

Not all watering has to come from the tap.

Many forms of household water can safely be reused in ornamental gardens.

You could use:

• Water used to rinse vegetables
  
• Leftover drinking water
  
• Water collected while waiting for a tap or shower to warm up

Greywater from baths or showers can also be used on ornamental plants once it has cooled.

Avoid using water that contains:

• Bleach
  
• Strong disinfectants
  
• Heavy detergents
  

Where possible, apply reused water directly to the soil rather than onto leaves.

Mulch to Lock Moisture Into the Soil

Mulching remains one of the most effective ways to conserve water in the garden.

A layer of organic mulch approximately 5 to 8 cm deep helps to:

• Reduce evaporation
  
• Keep roots cooler
  
• Suppress weeds
  
• Improve soil structure as it breaks down

Good materials to use are:

• Composted bark
  
• Woodchip
  
• Garden compost
  
• Leaf mould

Always leave a small gap around the trunk or stems to prevent excess moisture building up against the bark.

If the soil has already become very dry, water thoroughly before applying mulch.

Improve Your Soil

Healthy soil naturally holds more moisture.

Adding organic matter such as compost improves soil structure and increases its ability to retain water between rainfall or watering.

This benefits not only your trees but also the countless organisms living within the soil that help support healthy root growth.

Improving soil is a long-term investment that pays dividends every summer.

Read our information on winter soil care.

Keep Weeds Under Control

Weeds compete with your trees and shrubs for both water and nutrients.

Removing them regularly ensures more of the available moisture reaches the plants you actually want to grow.

Mulch also helps reduce weed growth, giving you two benefits from one simple task.

Give Container-Grown Trees Extra Care

Trees growing in pots dry out much faster than those planted in the ground.

During hot weather:

• Group containers together to create a more humid microclimate.
  
• Move pots into a position with afternoon shade where practical.
  
• Raise pots on feet to improve drainage.
  
• Check moisture below the surface before watering, as the compost may still be damp beneath the top layer.

Using saucers beneath containers can temporarily help retain water during dry weather, although these should be emptied after prolonged rainfall to prevent waterlogging.

Read more on protecting trees during a heatwave.

Don’t Forget Your Lawn

Brown grass during a dry summer often looks worrying, but established lawns are remarkably resilient.

Rather than watering, raise your mower blades slightly or leave the grass a little longer.

Longer grass shades the soil, helping it retain moisture.

In most cases, lawns green up again naturally once rainfall returns.

Plan Ahead for Future Dry Summers

Choosing the right plants can make a significant difference to how much watering your garden needs. The dry spells certainly look like they're here to stay.

Drought-tolerant plants, once established, generally require much less water.

You can also improve resilience by:

• Adding compost before planting.
  
• Applying mulch each spring.
  
• Watering new trees carefully during their first growing season.
  
• Collecting rainwater throughout the year.

Small changes made today can make your garden much more resilient during future dry spells.

What About Hosepipe Bans?

Temporary hosepipe restrictions vary between water companies and regions.

In many areas, watering with a watering can filled from a water butt or tap may still be permitted, although exemptions and restrictions differ.

Always check the latest guidance from your local water supplier if restrictions are introduced where you live.

Final Thoughts from Our Team

Saving water and maintaining a healthy garden go hand in hand.

Simple measures such as collecting rainwater, improving your soil, applying mulch and watering efficiently can dramatically reduce water use without compromising the health of your trees and shrubs.

As our summers become warmer and drier, adopting these habits now will help create a more resilient, sustainable, and eco-friendly garden for years to come. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best way to save water in the garden?

Water deeply but less often, collect rainwater in a water butt, apply mulch around plants and improve your soil with organic matter to help retain moisture.

Can I use greywater on my garden?

Yes, cooled greywater from baths or showers can usually be used on ornamental plants. Avoid water containing bleach, strong disinfectants or heavy detergents.

Should I water my lawn during a drought?

Established lawns rarely need watering. They often turn brown during dry weather but usually recover once rain returns.

Are water butts worth installing?

Yes. Water butts provide a free source of rainwater, reduce reliance on mains water and are one of the easiest ways to conserve water in the garden.

Which plants should I prioritise during dry weather?

Focus on newly planted trees, young shrubs, container-grown plants and hanging baskets. Established trees are generally more tolerant of short periods of drought.