Water in the Garden

RHS / Tim Sandall

Saving water, time, and money: simple steps Choosing plants that survive drought 10 top tips to being water wise rhs.org.uk/gardening

Get Water Wise

Gardeners use about two-thirds of the domestic water supply during hot dry spells. This huge demand is hard to sustain in a drought so, not surprisingly, water companies encourage gardeners to do their bit to help reduce their usage. Thankfully it is possible to have a beautiful garden and still be water wise. Use this leaflet to discover our top tips for gardening without draining mains water supplies. Then, if you wondered which plants can take the heat, see our handy guide inside. Finally, to find out how to make the best of the water you do have, see our great ways to water section. Quick facts
The right amount of watering can save you time and money, as well as water Using rain water and grey water can help cut your mains consumption Most lawns and established trees and shrubs dont need watering Excessive amounts of water simply drain out of reach of plants roots Insufficient water sprinkled on the soil just wets the soils surface - to ensure youre using water correctly keep on reading

We hope you find this information helpful and dont forget theres plenty more on the RHS website at rhs.org.uk/gardening

RHS / Jon Enoch

save Water, time and money

Reducing the amount of water needed to keep a garden green and growing is surprisingly easy. Using just a few simple tips its possible to minimise water use; reduce the time needed to apply it; and even save money if you are on a meter. to begin enjoying these benefits, try our top tips

ten Water-savinG tips

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Grow drought-tolerant plants that dont need as much help to survive Put saucers under containers so water doesnt run away and you can help reduce the time spent watering Limit use of hanging baskets and utilise water-storing crystals to reduce the amount of watering needed If possible, plant in spring or autumn when the ground is damp Avoid watering lawns they soon green up after rain Install water butts to collect rain to use in dry spells Mulch in late winter to lock in soil moisture and prevent weeds growing Recycle water from the kitchen and bathroom (see collecting and using grey water right) Remove weeds they use water that your other plants can soak up Prepare soil in autumn and winter to minimise moisture loss

RHS / Neil Hepworth

Collecting and using grey water

Plants can be watered with bath, shower and kitchen water, which is collectively referred to as grey water. Soil and potting compost are effective at filtering out contaminants, including soaps and detergents, so theres no need to worry about using it on your plants. However it is good hygiene practice not to use bath and shower water on edible crops.

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Key: saves money saves water saves time

hot plant ChoiCes

Choosing plants to cope with dry conditions need not be daunting or costly. Droughttolerant plants are simply those with clever ways of surviving with little water. Just look out for the following drought-tolerant characteristics

Stachys byzantina

Cool CharaCteristiCs
romatic leaves contain volatile scented a compounds that are thought to cool foliage as they evaporate, reducing water loss leshy, succulent leaves store moisture F for dry spells rey leaves usually signify drought resistance G airy leaves shade themselves with their own h hairs eathery foliage loses less water than soft l leaves ong, narrow leaves are very good at shedding l heat without losing water mall leaves shed heat and have few pores s from which to lose water pikes act as fins that cool the plant s

All of these plants have one or more of these characteristics, ensuring they are tough and easy to grow once established.

perennials
Acanthus spinosus (bears breeches) Alchemilla mollis (ladys mantle) Dianthus (pinks, sweet William) Eryngium giganteum (sea holly) Nepeta faassenii (catmint) Phlomis fruticosa Phormium (New Zealand flax) Rosmarinus officinalis Miss Jessopps Upright (rosemary) Salvia officinalis Purpurascens (sage) Salvia nemorosa Ostfriesland Sedum spectabile (ice plant) Stachys byzantina (lambs ears) Stipa gigantea, S. tenuissima (ornamental grasses) Verbena bonariensis. Verbascum (mullein)

shrubs need more choice?

The RHS Plant Selector can help you pick droughttolerant plants at rhs.org.uk Likewise, the RHS Plant Finder lists more than 60,000 plants and where to buy them. You can also buy a range of droughttolerant plants through the RHS Online Plant Shop rhsplants.co.uk/rhs-drought-tolerant-page/ Choisya ternata (Mexican orange blossom) Cistus purpureus (rock rose) Lavandula angustifolia Hidcote (lavender) Perovskia Blue Spire (Russian sage) Sarcococca hookeriana (Christmas box) Skimmia japonica

Key: plant has an RHS Award of Garden Merit RHS Perfect for Pollinators (attracts insects)

Great Ways to Water

Watering is not complicated, but there is more to it than just showering thirsty plants. Here are some tips on how to water plants effectively and when to water for the best results

how to water
Apply it at a steady rate at the base of stems, as wetting the leaves is a waste The surrounding soil should stay dry, with all the water going to the roots Always check the weather forecast and only water if not enough rain falls Aim to supply enough water to just moisten the top 30cm (1ft) of soil. Excess water will quickly drain below where the roots can reach

WhiCh WaterinG eQuipment to use?

hosepipes produce jets of water that can damage the surface of the soil, resulting in water running away from plants. Solve this by attaching a lance or spray gun Watering cans without a rose (sprinkle head) behave like hoses, but are more work! With a rose on, there is little run-off sprinklers have limited uses in most gardens such as watering a large area ready for planting irrigation systems based on seep and drip hoses allow water to sink slowly into the soil, but they should only be allowed to wet the top 30cm of soil

When do plants need Water?

The best guide comes from digging a hole to a spades depth; if the soil feels damp at this depth watering is not needed; if it feels dry then some plants will need a drink. However it is worth remembering the following too: rought-tolerant plants, most lawns and established trees D and shrubs, and large fruit trees rarely need watering ruit and vegetables usually crop adequately without F watering. The quality and quantity however, is improved by watering close to harvest hen the leaves are the crop, such as lettuce, the plants W should never go short of water. Watering about two weeks before harvesting is usually sufficient ontainers need frequent watering because they only C hold a limited amount of water. Apply water when the surface of the compost appears dry

RHS / Tim Sandall

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