Water-wise gardening - Tips for drought-resilient growing

With hosepipe bans in place in some areas and more likely on the way, many gardeners are wondering how to keep their gardens flourishing without draining precious water resources. At Yeo Valley Organic Garden, water-wise gardening isn’t just a seasonal strategy, it’s all part of our nature-first approach.

Garden creator Sarah Mead has long championed thoughtful watering and soil-friendly techniques to nurture a space that’s beautiful, buzzing with biodiversity and resilient through the driest spells. From troughs that harvest rainwater to watering roots, not leaves, Sarah and the team have gathered plenty of practical know-how for weathering a summer heatwave.

“Mulching is one of the best things you can do,” says Sarah. “It locks in moisture, keeps weeds down and feeds the soil as it breaks down. A decent mulch, paired with deep watering at the roots, really helps plants cope in hot weather.”

The team’s approach is all about working with nature by harvesting rainwater, watering at cooler times of day to cut down on evaporation and choosing plants that can take a bit of summer stress in their stride. And if you’re short on time (or water), spot watering with a can is far better than a quick sprinkle from a hose.

This nature-first, fuss-free approach will take centre stage at the Yeo Valley Organic Garden Festival this September, when ITV’s Love Your Garden designer Tom Massey will dig into ideas from his upcoming book Waterwise Garden (published by DK and the RHS). With climate-first design credentials including the Yeo Valley Organic Garden for RHS Chelsea 2021 and the WaterAid Garden for Chelsea 2024, Tom brings a brilliant blend of practical know-how and climate conscious design for drought defying gardens that really work.

“Tom has the perfect mix of big-picture thinking and proper, practical know-how which is just what gardeners need right now…” says Sarah

Here are a few of Sarah’s top drought-busting tips:

“Dry spells don’t mean dull gardens. With a few simple shifts in habit, your garden can stay growing and gloriously full of life - no matter what the summer throws at you.”

• Collect rain with water butts or troughs near thirsty areas like veg plots or greenhouses

• If rain is forecast, empty as much collected water into watering cans or buckets so your water butts are ready to catch as much as possible in the next downpour

• Water early or late to reduce evaporation - the cooler, the better

• Mulch generously with organic compost to lock in moisture and help nourish the soil

• Target the roots when watering with a can, a proper soak at the base of plants beats a quick splash every time

• Let lawns rest, the brown will bounce back and longer grass will help trap dew

• Choose drought-tolerant plants that will tolerate the heat