Do these things to ensure that your garden can survive a drought and feel confident even during a hose pipe ban. Use our simple guide and learn how to drought-proof your garden.
Learning how to drought-proof your garden may feel like an impossible task if you’re used to the warm, wet conditions that we usually have in the UK. But the climate is changing, and long, hot summers are becoming more commonplace. Hose pipe bans and dried-up riverbeds and reservoirs may become more and more a part of our lives as time goes on.
It is possible to prepare your garden for these conditions, however. You can have a spectacular garden that requires very little watering and can thrive even whilst others are withering.
HOW TO DROUGHT-PROOF YOUR GARDEN
Different plants are adapted for life in different conditions. Some plants thrive in moist, temperate regions whilst others do better in warm arid areas.
Additionally, soil conditions can have a huge impact on our plants during a drought. Heavy clay will dry almost solid and crack. This is disastrous for our plants’ roots’ as they become trapped within the earth sometimes unable to access the water or oxygen they need for growth and respiration.
Sandy soils do not retain water well, meaning that in warm conditions it can seem as though no amount of watering is enough to keep your plants happy.
START WITH SOIL
The most important thing in any garden is the soil. Soil is a living, ecosystem that interacts microscopically with our plants helping to provide them with nutrients, water and optimum conditions for their roots.
Healthy soil is well-draining, meaning that it won’t become waterlogged in wet conditions (unless it is an area prone to flooding), which could cause our plants to drown as they need oxygen as much as you or I. Also, healthy soil is rich in nutrients and organic matter for our plants to feed on and also retains moisture well.
We can’t expect to achieve healthy soil straight away, it does take a few years to develop. But by following the right methods you will start to notice the difference very quickly.
TRY NO DIG GARDENING TO DROUGHT-PROOF YOUR GARDEN
No-dig gardening has been gaining in popularity in the last few years, with more and more gardeners laying down their forks in winter and opting instead to mulch their soils.
‘Instead of turning the soil, I spread an annual mulch of compost. This layer becomes incorporated into the soil by the diverse organisms living below. Their actions of eating and excreting improve the soil’s structure and fertility, making it excellent for growing’ says Stephanie Hafferty, author and no-dig expert.
The well-aerated soils created by no-dig gardening also have excellent water-retaining qualities. The aggregates or “peds” within the soil, created by the soil organisms themselves act like a sponge meaning that it is able to hold onto water for longer, instead of the water simply draining away.
Moreover, the layer of mulch on the surface of the soil also acts as a protective layer slowing the evaporation of water from the top layers of the soil. This helps the soil retain even more water, even during hot and dry periods.
If you have shrubs, bushes or trees, you may not want to mulch with compost. Bark-chip is a great choice of mulch for these areas as it will help the soil retain water, and, unlike woodchip will not acidify the soil.
TRY WATERING LESS
Watering less might seem a little counterintuitive, but bear with me. When we are establishing plants in our garden it is a good idea to ensure that they have a really good drink and that we water regularly.
If we water too much, however, we may be creating more of a problem for ourselves. It’s a good idea to give slightly more water but do it less often. This allows plants to get the water that they need but also encourages them to put down and strong, deep root system to go in search of food.
Some plants, such as lettuce will not respond to this type of ‘training’ but are more likely to go to seed if they don’t have enough water. Therefore, it is important to choose plants that are suited for the conditions. If you are unable to manipulate the conditions to suit the plants.
CHOOSE DROUGHT-RESISTANT PLANTS
There are plenty of vegetables, herbs, flowers, and fruit that are well adapted for life in warm and dry conditions. Plants that naturally grow in these sorts of climates come with specific features that help them retain water.
Plants are constantly losing water through pores on their leaves. This happens when water is pulled up into the roots and then through the plant by capillary action. As plants do not have any other means to draw water up, they must lose some water through their leaves to enable them to draw up more water through their roots. Because of this, plants that generally live in hot, dry places will usually have one of the following adaptations:
- Fewer pores on their leaves so less water is lost.
- A waxy cuticle. A waxy layer that covers the pores on the leaves, reducing water loss.
- Small leaves with less surface area for water to be lost.
- A deep root system, allowing the plant to penetrate deep into the groundwater.
As with all plants, drought-resistant plants will only become drought-resistant when they are fully established. Therefore, seedlings will still need to be watered regularly, as will newly planted plants.
TRY THESE DROUGHT-RESISTANT VEGETABLES
Here are some great drought-resistant vegetables to grow in your garden:
- Rocket / Arugula
- Corn
- French / Climbing Beans
- Edible Amaranth
- Tuscan Kale
- Swiss Chard
- Sweet Potatoes
- Mustard Greens
CHECK OUT THESE DROUGHT-RESISTANT FRUITS
Plant these drought-resistant fruits for crops even through a drought:
- Raspberries
- Blueberries
- Peach
- Nectarine
- Olives
- Figs
- Blackberries
- Goosberries
TRY THESE DROUGHT-RESISTANT FLOWERS
Grow these drought-resistant flowers in your garden to feed your pollinators and bring in a splash of colour:/
- Coneflower / Echinacea
- Achillea
- Verbena Bonariensis
- Salvias
- Hollyhocks
- Strawflower
- Antirrhinum
- California Poppy
- Kniphofia
YOU WILL LOVE THESE DROUGHT-PROOF HERBS
These herbs will thrive in warm, dry conditions. Plant these drought-resistant herbs for fragrance in your garden, and in your kitchen:
- Sage
- Rosemary
- Lavender
- Catmint
- Rosemary Sage
- Chocolate mint
- Tarragon
- Thyme
- Fennel
- Hyssop
Remember that extreme temperatures can cause even the most resilient plants to suffer, especially if they are not properly established. If your plants are showing signs of water or heat stress such as curling leaves, a loss of leaf turgidity (firmness), brownness or wilting, it is a good idea to give them a good drink if you can!