In 2022 many gardeners were caught out by a heatwave that broke records, singed plants and led to widespread hosepipe bans

On 19th July 2022, a temperature of 40.3 degrees Celsius was recorded, leading to the first-ever extreme heat warning on record.

With weather that hot, certain regions of the UK experience water restrictions or outright hosepipe bans, which can cause major problems for many gardeners who planned to use the warm weather to tend to their lawns and flowerbeds and can’t use any water right at the time they need it most.

There are alternative options however that can help reduce your garden’s need for water in the first place or provide a useful supply the moment that you need it.

Create Shade

Adding shade to your garden not only makes it more enjoyable during the height of summer but can help protect your more sensitive plants and vegetables and reduce the amount of water lost via evaporation.

The best forms of shade are natural covers such as trees, bushes and hedgerows, but in a pinch, a parasol or other suitable garden decor will help as well.

Add A Mulch

Mulching is a great addition to your lawn, as the first cut of spring can be immediately sprinkled on your lawn to provide much-needed nutrients.

However, an added benefit is that it can also help to lock in soil moisture and protect your garden from the heat.

The only point to bear in mind is that when the heatwave breaks and you get heavy rainfall, make sure to rake the mulch so the water has a better chance of soaking in your parched plants.

Don’t Pull Weeds

It can seem tempting to start pulling up weeds during a heatwave, as the long roots often soak up moisture at the expense of other plants. However, this can cause more harm than good.

Pulling them increases the stress on your other plants during a time when they have already been weakened by a lack of water.