Gardening

Keep your garden looking beautiful all summer long!

Find out how to grow plants successfully and reduce water consumption

Install a water butt in the garden

The average roof collects 85,000 litres of rain a year, enough to fill a water butt 450 times, so help your garden and your wildlife by saving your water from the drain. Water butts usually store about 200 litres of water. As well as being better for watering your plants, using rainwater in the garden reduces the amount of treated water you use.

Use a watering can instead of a hose

A hose can use enough water to fill twelve baths every hour! So use a watering can when you can. Garden sprinklers and hosepipes left running can use between 500 and 1,000 litres of water an hour.

Plant drought resistant plants

Climate change means our summers are getting drier and so plant plants which tolerate drier conditions and relieve the pressure on our water and our environment.

Stop watering your lawn

Wait for the rain to water your lawn. It’s ok to let your grass go brown during dry spells – it will bounce back as soon as it rains again.

Double pot your plants

Stop water from dripping out of your plant pots with a second pot or tray to catch it. Don't forget to reuse the excess water soon.

Reuse your bathwater for watering

Reuse your bathwater to water your houseplants or garden (but not on fruit and veg or for water fights!)

Water your plants at cooler times of the day

Water your plants early in the day when it’s cooler so your plants will retain more moisture and won't need watering as much.

Don't cut your grass too short

Shorter grass dries out quicker so needs watering more often. Watering using a hose or sprinkler uses enough water to fill 12 baths every hour. So water less by growing your grass longer.