As our summers are getting hotter and hotter our gardens need more and more water, but the cost can soon mount up. There are many ways to save water in the garden that will not only help your plants stay fresh but also save you money!

It’s all in the soil

The trick to soil is that the more organic matter it contains the better it will hold the moisture, so a lot of well-rotted manure and compost is a good start. It is also a lot easier than you think; in spring simply spread a layer of compost across your borders and let the worms mix it into the soil. If you are still struggling with keeping moisture in the soil why not create a wide planting hole and line it with perforated polythene and then add your plant to the hole and surround by compost. This will help improve the water retention and keep the moisture in the soil.

Adding mulch

Simply cover your well composted soil with things like gravel, pebbles and bark chips to help reduce the amount of water evaporation. This is also a great way to help reduce the amount of weeds that will grow through. It is best to apply through autumn and spring while the soil is still very moist. It can also look very pretty.

How you can collect water

Collecting water is very easy to do and is completely free not to mention it helps the environment. All you need to do is position a water butt where it can get the most water but also where they are easily accessible.

It’s all about when you water

In the mornings before the heat of the day sets in, especially during the long summer days. By watering in the mornings it will help to reduce the amount of water that is lost through evaporation. It will also mean that your plants are able to dry off before the evening to also reduce the amount of slug damage! Always water at the base of the plant and don’t waste the water on the foliage. A good watering every few days is better than a little but often as it encourages the roots to grow deep into the soil.

Not everything needs water

Water the fruit and vegetables most often as they are worth the attention. However plants like grasses don’t need as much water; even if they turn brown simply let it grow a little longer as they can cope without loads of water.