How to maximise your garden’s water use.

The New Year is the perfect time to lay the groundwork ahead of the spring and improve your garden’s water efficiency. As a gardener, you’ll know how vital a water resource is. With 2024 having significant periods of drought and hot weather, climate change and water scarcity is on every gardener’s mind. That’s why getting ahead now, and saving water is as important as ever.

Improve soil quality to retain moisture.

Healthy soil is the foundation for a successful garden. It is so much more than just a medium for the plants to grow in. It ensures plant health, offers stability and is the source of nutrients and water. Dry, nutrient poor soil can’t support plant life, so it is important to keep on top of soil health now to help it maintain moisture in growing season. January is the ideal time to start prepping it by digging in generous amounts of organic matter, like compost. If you have space in your garden you could consider investing in a composter to make your own using food waste and save some pennies on buying it. Digging in compost will improve the soil structure, boost its ability to retain moisture and enhance nutrient availability. We have a range of composters that will suit any sized garden and help improve your soil’s health. Taking these steps now lays the groundwork for a thriving garden in the months to come.

Ensure you are able to deep water plants when it gets warm.

If the plants in your garden aren’t thriving despite you watering them, it might be that you aren’t watering the plants deeply enough. This will help your garden to be more drought resistant, prevent salt patches from building up, strengthen roots, and increase nutrient uptake. Whilst we don’t need to water our gardens frequently in January, now is a great time to prepare flower beds to make watering deeply easier in the approaching spring. Large stones in the soil and fallen leaves or debris can prevent enough water reaching the roots of a plant. So, keeping on top of clearing up fallen leaves and removing any stones from the soil now when plants aren’t in bloom is a great way to prepare for the warmer months. You could even consider installing an irrigation system to deliver water directly to the root zone. Deep watering sets the stage for healthier, more resilient plants in your garden.

Collect rainwater now.

We often think about installing water butts in the spring when we begin to water more frequently. But the winter is an ideal time to install a water butt when there is a higher average daily rainfall. As a gardener you’ll know what a precious resource water is so get collecting now when rainwater is plentiful and ensure you can water your garden all year round. We’ve got a range of water butts to suit any style or size garden.

Choose drought-tolerant plants.

The key to a successful garden is good planning, including planning what plants are planted where. For instance in a north facing garden it is important to plant shade friendly plants, where as a south facing garden can often handle more tropical plants. As the summers get hotter in the UK, it is important to choose plants that can thrive in drought climates, especially here in East Anglia which is the driest region of the UK. Mediterranean plants like bay trees and olive trees thrive in hot weather. So, place varieties such as these in sunny, exposed locations and keep high-water plants in shaded areas, closer to your house. You can find other drought friendly gardening tips and tricks here.

Create water-efficient garden design.

Along with being selective on the plants you choose and the areas you plant them in based on their water needs, we would also recommend getting creative with your whole garden design to create a more water-efficient space. This could be as simple as reducing the size of your lawn, which requires a significant amount of water to thrive. You could simply increase the depth of your boards or build some decking. But you could also use hardscaping strategies like incorporating permeable materials like gravel or pavers for walkways, which not only creates an interesting design but reduces runoff and encourages water infiltration. Another tip for a water efficient garden is to space plants appropriately to allow for air circulation and root growth, reducing competition for water. You could even plant trees and shrubs strategically to create more shade for delicate plants and reduce soil evaporation.

Creating a sustainable garden that maximises water efficiency is not only essential for adapting to changing climate conditions but also a rewarding step toward a more sustainable lifestyle. The above tips will help the precious resource of water go further, fight the need for hosepipe bans, and give you peace of mind that all of your hard work in the garden will be preserved. By focusing on soil health, preparing for deep watering, collecting rainwater, and designing a water-efficient garden, you can ensure a thriving, resilient outdoor space all year round. The summer might feel a long way off but if you start implementing these tips today and preparing now, you’ll be setting the stage for a flourishing garden that saves water, reduces costs, and supports the planet. Plus, it will help you enjoy your garden and get the most out of your outdoor space this year. Happy gardening in 2025 and beyond!