How to Save and Use Water Efficiently in the Garden

With the warmer, drier weather we’re experiencing in our summers, it’s more of a priority to think smartly about water use in the garden. Whether you’re nurturing a newly planted bed, tending to your containers, or keeping a prized lawn looking its best, water efficiency makes a real difference not just to your plants, but to the environment and community too.

At Squire’s, we understand how precious water is, especially during prolonged dry spells. That’s why we’ve pulled together some expert tips on collecting, storing, and reusing water at home to make every drop go further so your garden stays healthy.

Harvesting Rainwater with a Water Butt

Rain may be in short supply right now, but when it does come, collecting it is one of the most efficient ways of using water. But how can you collect it? By installing a water butt! This is one of the simplest and most effective ways to make use of rainwater in the garden. You can connect them to downpipes from your house, garage, or greenhouse. Even a short shower can top up a supply.

If you’ve already got a water butt and space allows, consider linking two together or adding another in a shaded spot to prevent evaporation. And remember, rainwater is particularly good for acid-loving plants like camellias, rhododendrons, and blueberries especially in hard water areas.

Because water in a butt can sit for weeks or even months between uses, keeping it clean is key. Algae and bacteria can build up in warm conditions, creating unpleasant odours and can eventually harm delicate plants. Stagnant water is also a health risk to us.

To help prevent this:

• Use a lid: Always keep the butt covered to stop debris, leaves, and insects getting in.
• Fit a filter: Consider installing a downpipe diverter with a built-in filter to catch silt and debris before they enter the tank.
• Flush it out periodically: Every few months, or once a year at minimum, empty and rinse out the butt to remove sediment at the bottom.
• Add a water butt treatment: There are natural, plant-safe treatments available that help keep stored water clear and odour-free.

Clean rainwater is safe for most garden use, but if in doubt, avoid using older or murky water on seedlings or newly germinated plants, as they’re more vulnerable to pathogens.

Reuse Grey Water: Water from the Home to the Garden

In periods of dry weather, used household water – known as grey water – can be safely used to help keep your plants thriving. Water from your bath, shower, or washing-up bowl (provided it’s free from harsh chemicals or bleach) is perfectly suitable for watering ornamental beds and borders.

A few things to bear in mind:

• Allow grey water to cool before using it.
• Avoid using it on edible crops unless you’re using eco-friendly soaps or detergents.
• Rotate use between rainwater and grey water if possible, to avoid any potential build-up of residues in the soil.
• Don’t apply grey water near ponds, streams, or drainage channels where it could eventually reach aquatic habitats. Even trace amounts of chemicals, detergents, or food waste can cause harm to fish, frogs, and the invertebrates they feed on.
• Use grey water immediately—don’t store it, as it can go foul quickly and become harmful to soil life and plants.

If your garden is home to frogs, birds, bees, or a wildlife pond, be especially cautious. Collecting rainwater with a water butt would be a better option, but if you have no choice use sparingly away from wildlife.

Water at the Best Times

The best times to water are early in the morning or later in the evening, when temperatures are cooler and evaporation is minimal. Aim to water the base of plants directly, rather than sprinkling over the foliage—this helps ensure water gets straight to the roots, where it’s most needed.

Try to water deeply but less frequently, encouraging plants to develop stronger, deeper root systems. Shallow daily watering can do more harm than good, making plants more vulnerable during dry spells.

Wiser Watering: Can vs Hose

Reaching for a watering can instead of a hose can make a real difference over time, not just in how much water you use, but in how efficient it can be when it comes to minimising waste. It’s estimated that a typical garden hose can use up to 1,000 litres of water an hour if left running, which means even a few minutes of unmonitored watering can result in a surprisingly high volume of water used.

With a watering can, you’re in more control. It encourages a slower, more considered approach allowing you to water directly at the base of plants, where it’s actually needed, rather than splashing over leaves or sending water onto paths and dry soil that won’t benefit. This not only saves water but also promotes better plant health by reducing the risk of mildew (which can happen if you prefer to water in the cooler evenings) and encouraging deeper root growth.

It may take a few extra trips to the tap or the water butt, but the benefits in saving water are worth it. Plus, it gives you the opportunity to check in with each plant and spot any early signs of stress, pests, or disease that might otherwise go unnoticed.

Mulching to Help Keep in Moisture

Once you’ve watered your plants, help the water stay in the soil for longer by applying a mulch. A good thick layer of mulch around your plants – whether it’s compost, bark, woodchip, or well-rotted manure – can drastically reduce evaporation and suppress weeds that compete for water. Mulching is especially helpful around the base of shrubs, trees, roses, and perennials. And the best time to mulch is when the soil is still slightly damp from recent rain or watering.

Protecting Pots and Planters

Containers can dry out quickly, so they’ll need a little more attention in dry weather. Grouping pots together can create a microclimate that helps conserve moisture. You can also use pot saucers to capture excess water, line the inside of pots with a moisture-retaining liner or even mix in water-retaining gel crystals with your compost when planting. These crystals absorb water when you water the container, swelling up and holding that moisture within the compost. As the compost dries out, the crystals release the stored water slowly—right where the plant needs it most. For hanging baskets, make sure the water is reaching the root ball and not just running down the sides. A slow soak, rather than a quick splash, makes all the difference.

Rethink Watering the Lawn

It might be tempting to reach for the hose when your lawn starts to lose its lush green colour, but in most cases, they can be allowed to dry out. Lawns can be surprisingly resilient, and in the UK’s temperate climate, most established lawns will bounce back quickly when the rain returns even if they’ve browned off during a dry spell.

Watering the lawn can use a considerable amount of water, often without lasting benefit. Unless you’ve laid new turf or seeded bare patches of lawn recently it’s usually unnecessary to water it during dry weather. Instead, raise the height of your mower blades slightly during warm weather to avoid stressing the grass further. You could also leave the clippings on the lawn which will act as a natural mulch and help retain moisture.

As the ground becomes hard with prolonged dry periods, welcome rain often runs off the surface and doesn’t easily soak in.  To help water get to the roots, spike or aerate the lawn before rain is expected.  This will ensure moisture goes deeper beneath the surface and encourages the roots to grow away from the dry surface and down into the cooler, damp soil.

Rethink Planting by Choosing Drought-Tolerant Varieties

If you’re planting, why not consider more drought-tolerant plants in your garden design? Mediterranean herbs like rosemary, thyme, lavender, and oregano thrive in dry conditions, as do hardy plants like such as sedum, echinacea, salvia, ceanothus, verbena, agapanthus, hardy geraniums and heuchera among others. Many ornamental grasses, too, are remarkably resilient and add both texture and movement to a border without demanding regular watering.

Small Changes, Big Impact

By planning ahead and adopting water-efficient habits, we can help our gardens remain vibrant and sustainable during the driest of periods. From collecting rainwater to swapping hoses for watering cans and thinking carefully about when and how we water, it all adds up.

These relatively small shifts not only conserve a precious resource; they also make us more attentive, more connected gardeners. And with the right choices now, your garden will be better equipped to thrive through this dry spell and well into the future.