Nine tips to save your garden amid Thames Water’s hosepipe ban

The temporary water ban commences at 12.01am tomorrow morning (Thursday, July 23) and affects Oxfordshire.

Gardeners across the region are being urged to rethink how they care for their plants during the current dry spell.

The ban, affecting 10.1 million customers after an “exceptionally warm and dry spring”, means hosepipes should not be used for watering gardens or allotments.

READ MORE: Water pipe bursts just hours before Oxfordshire hosepipe ban

The water company said its region had seen 40 per cent of average rainfall, and more days at or above 34°C this year than ever recorded before.

While hosepipes may be off limits, there are still plenty of simple ways to keep gardens healthy while using water responsibly.

1. Water smarter, not more

If you’re using a watering can, water early in the morning or later in the evening when temperatures are cooler.

This reduces evaporation and allows more water to reach plant roots where it’s needed most.

Products containing wetting agents can also help water penetrate compost more effectively.

2. Prioritise the plants that need it most

Focus your watering on newly planted flowers and vegetables, young shrubs, containers and hanging baskets.

Established trees, mature shrubs and lawns are generally much more resilient and can recover once wetter weather returns.

3. Don’t panic if your lawn turns brown

A brown lawn isn’t necessarily a dead one. Most established lawns naturally go dormant during prolonged dry weather and will quickly green up again after rainfall.

Avoid watering unless you’ve recently laid new turf or sown fresh grass seed, and always check the specific exemptions under your local hosepipe restrictions.

4. Mulch to retain moisture

Applying bark, compost or other organic mulch around plants helps lock moisture into the soil, keeps roots cooler and reduces weed growth, meaning less water is lost through evaporation.

5. Stay on top of weeds

Weeds compete with your plants for valuable water and nutrients.

Removing them regularly ensures the moisture you do use benefits the plants you actually want to grow.

6. Feed plants wisely

Healthy, well-fed plants develop stronger root systems and are better equipped to cope with drought.

Follow product instructions carefully and avoid over-feeding during periods of extreme heat.

7. Make every drop count

Collect rainwater wherever possible using water butts and reuse suitable grey water, such as cooled cooking water or water used to rinse fruit and vegetables.

Avoid using any water containing detergents, bleach or harsh cleaning products.

8. Give containers extra care

Pots and hanging baskets dry out far more quickly than garden borders.

Grouping containers together in a partially shaded area can help reduce moisture loss during heatwaves.

If compost has become extremely dry, something that may happen more readily with peat-free composts, immerse the pot or basket in a container of clean water until air bubbles stop rising. This allows the compost to fully rehydrate.

9. Help plants cope with heat stress

Seaweed-based plant feeds can improve plants’ resilience during periods of drought and heat stress.

As water restrictions begin, making small changes to watering habits can help gardens remain healthy while conserving one of our most precious resources.