A hosepipe ban doesn't have to mean the end of a healthy, vibrant garden. With a little planning and a few water-wise gardening techniques, you can help your plants thrive while conserving one of our most precious resources. Many established plants are surprisingly resilient, and by making every drop count, your garden can continue to flourish even during prolonged dry spells.
What Is a Hosepipe Ban?
A hosepipe ban, officially known as a Temporary Use Ban (TUB), is introduced by water companies during periods of exceptionally dry weather to help protect local water supplies. While using a hosepipe for watering gardens is prohibited, you can still water plants using a watering can, buckets, or water collected from approved sources such as water butts. In most cases you can also use an approved drip or trickle irrigation watering system.
Always check with your local water supplier, as restrictions and exemptions can vary between regions.
Water Early or Late
The best time to water your plants is early in the morning or late in the evening when temperatures are cooler. This reduces evaporation and allows more water to soak into the soil where roots need it most.
Avoid watering during the hottest part of the day, as much of the water will evaporate before it benefits your plants.
Water Deeply, Not Frequently
Rather than giving plants a light sprinkle every day, water thoroughly once or twice a week. Deep watering encourages roots to grow further into the soil, making plants more drought tolerant and better able to cope with hot weather.
Prioritise Your Plants
If water is limited, focus on plants that need it most:
- Newly planted trees and shrubs
- Hanging baskets and containers
- Vegetables and fruit plants
- Young hedging and perennials
Established trees, shrubs and lawns can often tolerate dry conditions surprisingly well.
Mulch to Lock in Moisture
Applying a generous layer of organic mulch around your plants can reduce evaporation by up to 70%. Bark, compost, well-rotted manure or leaf mould all help keep the soil cool while suppressing weeds that compete for moisture.
Aim for a mulch layer around 5–8cm deep, keeping it clear of stems and trunks.
Collect Every Drop
Rainwater is one of the best resources for your garden. Install water butts on sheds, garages and greenhouse roofs to collect rainfall whenever possible.
You can also reuse certain household water, such as cooled cooking water (without salt), water from rinsing vegetables or water left in pet bowls, provided it doesn't contain harsh chemicals or detergents.
If you're planning new borders or replacing plants, consider species that naturally cope well with dry conditions. Lavender, Rosemary, Salvia, Perovskia, Yucca, ornamental grasses and many Mediterranean shrubs require far less watering once established.
These plants not only reduce maintenance but also provide long-lasting colour and structure throughout the summer.
Give Containers Extra Care
Plants growing in pots dry out much faster than those in the ground. Move containers into partial shade during extreme heat, group pots together to create a more humid microclimate, and use saucers carefully to help retain water without leaving roots permanently waterlogged.
Adding water retaining granules to compost when planting can also help reduce watering frequency.
Keep Your Soil Healthy
Healthy soil acts like a sponge, storing moisture for longer. Regularly incorporating compost or organic matter improves soil structure, allowing it to hold water more effectively during dry weather.
Well fed soil also encourages stronger root systems, helping plants withstand periods of drought.
Don't Worry About Your Lawn
Lawns often turn brown during prolonged hot weather, but this is usually a natural survival mechanism. Most established lawns will recover once rainfall returns, so it's often better to save your precious water for plants that genuinely need it.
A Greener Garden Starts with Smarter Watering
By watering efficiently, improving your soil, applying mulch regularly and choosing drought-tolerant plants, you can keep your garden healthy and attractive throughout a hosepipe ban while using water as efficiently as possible.
