This is the second part of a series of blogs about how gardeners can better store rainwater and cut out hosepipes, written by Janet Manning, Water Reduction Officer at the Royal Horticultural Society. In the first blog Janet explained the importance of healthy soil and mulch to retain moisture. In this second blog she explains how to re-use water and plan a more resilient garden all year round.

Rain gardening needs to become just gardening

‘Living within our means’ when it comes to water supplies means gardening using only the rain that falls on our plot, and reusing grey water. Winter is the best time to collect water, when there is still plenty of rainfall around to save. Not just in water butts, but by allowing the excess winter rain to slowly recharge the ground water through our soils, reaching the aquifers beneath our feet. However, put in extra water butts while the weather is dry and though they will be of no use immediately, dry spells tend to break with a heavy downpour and will soon fill when that happens.

And when we have used mains water for washing hands, rinsing fruit and veg or showering, it is very useable on the garden. The water treatment that would have happened in a sewage treatment works miles from our home, happens in the aerated soil of our gardens instead.

Plan a more resilient garden

A great way to combat the next dry spring is to start planning in advance. Planting hardy perennials and sowing hardy annuals in autumn will ensure they establish deep roots while there is warm soil and sufficient soil moisture around. The roots of the seedlings will establish over the winter, reaching soil moisture held in the deeper soil layers. Composting, re-directing rain water flows into borders, fixing up water extra butts and mulching are all good preparation for the dry weather to come.  

Towards the end of winter, using carbon rich garden waste as mulch with the ‘chop and drop’ technique will save your back. No more lugging wheelbarrows full of brown waste off to the compost heap, only to do the same with wheelbarrows of compost brought back to the borders later!

By the start of spring, plants you don’t want (previously known as weeds!) can become a green cover crop that absorbs the heat of the sun reaching the bare soil below. 

Reducing watering all year round

It seems we only consider how to save water once there is none around to save! Gardening without a hose may become a necessity if this dry spell continues and mandatory restrictions are put in place. Let’s learn how to do it voluntarily with more sustainable gardens, and we’ll be better growers by making better use of what nature has already provided.

Janet has also written a quick-fire list of tips to help gardeners make the most of water in dry weather.