Save water in the garden

• Water your garden in the cool of the early morning or evening. This will reduce the amount of water lost to evaporation.
• If you water plants and shrubs too often their roots will remain shallow, weakening the plant. Leave them alone until they show signs of wilting.
• Collect rainwater in water-butts and use a watering can instead of a hose. If you prefer to use a hosepipe, fit a trigger nozzle to control the flow.
• Regularly weed and hoe your garden, to ensure that watering helps plants and not weeds.
• Plant flowers and shrubs that thrive in hot and dry conditions such as thyme, evening primrose, rock rose, Californian poppy, pinks, lavender, buddleia and hebes.
• Mulches such as wood chips, bark and gravel help to prevent water evaporation and also suppress weed growth, saving you both water and time spent weeding.
• Lawns can survive long periods of dry weather if the grass is not cut too short. Even if the grass turns brown, it will quickly recover after a few days of rain.
• Garden sprinklers can use as much water in an hour as a family of four uses in two days. If you use a sprinkler, many water companies require you to have a water meter fitted.

More information on how to save water in the garden:

• Gardening (PDF, 110KB) 
  in the UK it is possible to have a beautiful and productive garden without using mains water.
• Turfgrass Growers Association leaflet (PDF, 313KB)
  advice on lawn watering
• Royal Horticultural Society 
  information on how gardeners can save water in the garden.  
• The Garden Centre Group 
  water conservation tips and advice.