Caring for your garden in dry weather

Gardening in changing climates poses challenges for us gardeners, including hot summers and hosepipe bans. Nature struggles to adapt as global temperatures and weather patterns are changing at pace.

To help nature cope, we can implement a dry weather plan and design gardens that will cope with, and hopefully thrive in, arid conditions.

Preparation is key.

Collect rainwater by installing multiple water butts in your garden or outdoor space.
Create bottle waterers by repurposing plastic bottles to provide direct watering aid for thirsty plants.
Mulching with organic materials keeps soil cool, retains water, and prevents weed growth.
Cluster pots together to simplify watering and create a moist micro-climate.

During dry spells

Keep a keen eye for signs of thirsty plants and implement your dry weather plan.
Allow your lawn to grow slightly taller, providing shade and retaining moisture around the roots.
Prioritize watering needy plants, such as pots and hanging baskets, newly planted shrubs and trees, and herbaceous plants.
Water early in the morning or late in the evening to reduce evaporation.
Utilize grey water from showers and dishwashing, ensuring it’s cooled before use and use within 24 hours.
Remove weeds that compete for moisture.
Shade greenhouses to prevent excessive drying.

After a drought

Firstly, rejoice! Rain rejuvenates your garden. Fork over the soil to break up any crust that has formed and help rainwater penetrate.
Take note of plant performance to inform future decisions, such as relocating plants to shadier areas.
Learn from the experience and make additional preparations for the next dry spell.
Consider designing a garden suited to arid conditions to adapt to the changing climate while still keeping it beautiful.

Find our tips on planning a drought tolerant here or read about how to care for your garden while you are away here.

N. Haggard 20 September 2022

I just wanted to drop you a quick note to say how delighted I am with my new garden.

Jon, my designer, listened to my ideas and delivered on everything I asked for. I wanted something different to any garden I’d had before, no lawn, no landscaping but packed with plants. He designed such a lovely secret garden, around a statement tree. And I have to commend him for his unwavering patience! I changed my mind a hundred times but never did he give me the impression that he was losing patience with my endless indecision. And my confidence in him led me to place an order for over £10k.

My landscaping team, Blade and Tony, were exceptional, from their work ethic, skill and knowledge, to the way they dealt with me, the customer. My standards are very high and I couldn’t fault them.

All in all, a very professional team of people. And it showed that they all care. I’m over the moon with the finished result. I will send you a before and after photo. Thank you so much.

A delighted customer.

G. Gray. May 2022

My front garden has been transformed by Andy and Bradley who both worked incredibly hard and I am delighted with the result. Andy had the vision and skill to turn my idea into reality and I can't thank him enough.

C. Haig Sept 2021

We recently had our garden landscaped by Hambrooks and I just wanted to pass on my thanks, not just for the outcome - which is superb - but for the professionalism of all the staff involved on the job who are all a credit to you company. Mike, Dave, Les and Adam.

H. Sharp Sept 2021

I just wanted to let you know how delighted I am with my new garden. Melanie was a delight to work with and the ideas she had have worked perfectly. Also Sheldon laid the patio beautifully and him and Dave were a pleaseure to have at my house. Quiet workers and polite.

B. Rendell April 2021

I would like to say how delighted we are with the work carried out. Mel, Paul and Tony all worked very hard, they totally took on board the specific need relating to safety as well as the general garden issues. Paul and Tony were excellent at consulting and discussing with me what I felt best in terms of the brief and adjusting if and as necessary, constantly pleasant and polite to deal with. Mel had picked up on particular issues from the first consultation and offered valuable advice. The outcome means a great deal less worry for me going forward.
Altogether a very positive experience and outcome which I would not hesitate to recommend to others.

Stephen March 2021

Dom and Adam's work (garden maintenance) is greatly appreciated. Dom really listened to everything we discussed very carefully and went out of his way to understand and then act upon that discussion. We are extremely pleased with the work done - both to the pond and pyracantha.

Marsha

We have been coming to Hambrooks for years and it's our favourite garden centre because of its friendly helpful staff and a great selection of plants and trees and the garden design ideas.

“We wanted to write and say how pleased we are with our low maintenance garden makeover. We are very impressed with the attitude of your staff who were prepared to listen to our requirements. Your team John and Rick brushed up and left everything tidy at the end of the day. We now have a garden we can manage and it looks great. THANK YOU HAMBROOKS.”

Mr & Mrs Venables, Southampton. April 2019

“Dear Josh & Mike We just want to say you both did a brilliant job of designing our garden along with the guys who did the work who were amazing. A few weeks on its looks even better now some of the plants are blooming. Thank you!!”

Mr & Mrs Gazzard, Winchester July 2019

“To James, John & Rikki. Thank you so much, we are delighted with our new garden. We really appreciate the attention to detail, the high quality workmanship and the standard of the finished project. We are amazed at how John & Rikki resolved the difficulties of the site and by the quality of their craftmanship. It was a pleasure to work with them and thank you for making our ideas into something we will enjoy for years to come.”