How to Save Your Garden During a Hosepipe Ban

A hosepipe ban does not have to mean losing your lawn, borders or containers. Prioritising vulnerable plants and using water carefully can protect the garden until regular rain returns.

Following an exceptionally warm and dry start to summer, temporary use bans are affecting millions of households across England. These restrictions reduce non-essential water use while supplies and the environment are under pressure.

A ban usually restricts hosepipes and sprinklers for tasks such as watering private gardens. Watering cans, buckets and stored rainwater can generally still be used, but rules and exemptions vary. Check your supplier’s current notice before acting.

Prioritise the plants that need water most

Do not try to keep every part of the garden unchanged. Established trees, shrubs and perennials usually tolerate dry spells better than plants with small or restricted roots.

Give priority to:

• newly planted trees, shrubs and hedges

• pots, hanging baskets and window boxes

• fruit and vegetable crops at critical growth stages

• plants showing persistent or severe signs of stress

The Royal Horticultural Society’s watering guidance advises focusing water where it is genuinely needed. Some plants wilt temporarily in afternoon heat, so check them again the following morning before assuming they are in danger.

Water deeply and at the right time

A quick daily splash may wet only the surface and encourage shallow roots. Apply water slowly around the base of each priority plant so it reaches the root zone rather than foliage or paving.

Early morning is best because evaporation is lower and plants can use the moisture during the day. Evening is the next-best option. Avoid watering in the hottest part of the afternoon.

For young trees and shrubs, a shallow ring of soil around the base can hold water while it sinks in. Very dry soil may absorb water better when watered slowly in two stages.

Protect the moisture already in the soil

Garden compost, well-rotted manure, bark chips or another suitable mulch can slow evaporation, suppress weeds and protect roots. The RHS recommends a layer of at least 5cm for effective moisture retention.

Apply mulch to moist soil where possible, keeping it clear of stems and trunks. Remove weeds because they compete for available moisture.

Longer-term improvements to soil, shade and plant positioning are covered in our practical guide to designing a garden from scratch.

Move containers out of intense afternoon sun

Containers dry out faster than open ground. Move pots and baskets into light afternoon shade and group them together to create a cooler microclimate.

Check below the compost surface before watering. Saucers can catch run-off beneath suitable pots, but plants that dislike wet roots should not stand permanently in water.

Small outdoor spaces can be made more resilient by choosing containers and plants carefully. See our guide to balcony and roof terrace gardening for further advice.

Let an established lawn turn brown

Brown grass is often dormant, not dead. The RHS advises against routinely watering an established lawn during drought, as it will usually recover when rainfall returns.

Raise the mower blades, mow less often and stop if growth pauses. Longer grass shades the soil, while fine clippings can act as a light mulch.

New turf or newly sown grass may qualify for an exemption in some areas. Check your supplier’s published rules rather than assuming it applies.

Reuse water carefully

Stored rainwater is the best reserve. Even a nearly empty water butt may support priority plants for several days.

Small amounts of grey water from baths, showers or rinse cycles can temporarily support ornamental plants. The RHS recommends using grey water within 24 hours and applying it with a watering can.

Do not use grey water on edible crops or if it contains bleach, disinfectant, dishwasher salt or strong cleaners. Water from rinsing produce, or unsalted cooking water once cool, can also be reused.

Pause jobs that create extra demand

Avoid laying turf, dividing plants or adding new purchases unless you can meet their watering needs legally. Do not fertilise severely stressed plants, as soft new growth requires more water.

When conditions improve, replace plants that repeatedly struggle with varieties better suited to the site. Our selection of low-maintenance plants for year-round interest provides a useful starting point, while the RHS drought-resistant gardening guide explains how plant choice and soil preparation can improve resilience.

Check the rules before using a hose

A Temporary Use Ban can restrict hosepipes for gardens, vehicles, outdoor surfaces, pools and ponds. According to Ofwat’s consumer guidance, breaking the rules can result in a fine of up to £1,000.

Exemptions may cover disability or health needs, animal welfare, certain food-growing activities, newly planted trees or approved watering systems. Your water company’s legal notice is the final authority.

A resilient garden does not need to look perfect

During a hosepipe ban, aim for survival rather than perfection. Focus on vulnerable plants, water at root level, shade containers, protect the soil and let established grass become dormant.

Used selectively, a watering can and stored rainwater can preserve the most valuable parts of the garden until meaningful rainfall returns.

_{This article provides general gardening information. Restrictions and exemptions vary by water supplier, so readers should check the current legal notice for their area.}