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Save water in autumn and winter
Discover top tips to help you use a little less
Find out more Find out more
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Save money, water and energy.
Keeping your garden watered and healthy during the warmer, drier months can feel like a never-ending task, but beautiful gardens don’t need to cost the earth. With just a few small swaps to how you care for your plants, you can save money by using a little less water – good for your pocket and the planet.
Small changes make a big difference, so explore our top tips to help your garden thrive for less.
Top gardening tips to save – money, time and water
Swap your hose for a watering can
A garden hose uses 5 times more water than a watering can - that's around 150 litres of water, the same as two baths full! So, try and use a watering can where possible to save those extra drops, especially during the warmer summer months.
Paddling pools make a great drink for thirsty plants
If you’ve had the paddling pool out for the little ones in the hot weather, pop a cover (or even an old bedsheet) on it and keep it for another day. Once you’re done with it, reuse the water to fill your watering can and water your plants.
Catch those raindrops
If you’ve got a bucket or an old bin, you’ve got a DIY waterbutt - place a container in your garden to catch those precious raindrops to water your garden. If you already have a water butt, you can fill your watering can 27 times for free, per butt! Plus, rainwater is packed full of nutrients that plants love – it's like a dose of natural fertiliser.
Love your brown lawn
Your lawn is tougher than you think and can easily survive a few days of sunshine. If it desperately needs a drink, make sure to reuse rain or bathwater rather than wasting your drinking water. Letting it grow a little longer will also help shade the soil and stop it from drying out as quickly.
Choose your plants wisely
Plant some low maintenance, drought-tolerant plants – they’ll look beautiful and won’t need much watering. We’ve picked so
me of our favourites as inspiration.
Keep on top of your weeding
Weeds compete with your plants for water and nutrients. Adding mulch, wood chip or bark to your garden beds allows the rain to penetrate through whilst minimising the amount of water lost due to evaporation - it also helps to keep weeds out.