Between soaring temperatures, looming hosepipe bans and the constant worry that your favourite plants are about to crisp up overnight, it can feel impossible to know if you’re watering correctly. Thankfully, Monty Don’s 4-step guide for watering in a drought is here to save us all a lot of headaches and help us stay on target.
Yes, as heatwaves become more frequent and hosepipe bans are introduced across parts of the UK, many gardeners are wondering how often to water their plants to keep them alive and quenched without making a major watering mistake. It can be difficult to know whether you’re watering too much, too little, or simply at the wrong time. And when every drop counts, getting it right matters more than ever.
That’s why advice from gardening expert Monty Don is always worth paying attention to. As one of the UK’s most trusted gardening experts, he’s built a reputation for sharing practical, sustainable advice that actually works in real gardens, so yes, you’d best believe his 4-step approach to watering during a drought is no exception.
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Monty Don’s 4-step guide to watering in a drought
When it comes to gardening advice, few people are as trusted as Monty Don. His tips are refreshingly simple, easy to follow, and, most importantly, they actually work. So when he shares his advice on watering during a drought, it’s well worth taking note.
Instead of encouraging us to reach for the hose every day, Monty’s 4-step guide (which he shared during an appearance on the BBC Gardeners’ World podcast) focuses on helping plants become naturally more resilient while making every drop of water go further.
So without any further ado…
1. Collect rainwater
In his 4-step guide to watering in a drought, Monty Don recommends rain harvesting wherever possible to reduce reliance on mains water during dry spells.
‘Rainwater is naturally softer than tap water and is a sustainable way to keep plants hydrated while conserving mains water during periods of drought,’ agrees Morris Hankinson, director of Hopes Grove Nurseries.
‘Installing a water butt means you can make the most of every shower, even when rainfall is limited,’ he adds.
Using stored rainwater also helps gardeners prepare for potential hosepipe restrictions (Thames Water currently has one in place), as it means plants can still be watered responsibly.
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Garden Stake Rain Gauge
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Garden Space Saver 100 Litre Black Slimline Water Butt Kit
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Wall-Mounted Pure Raindrop Water Butt
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2. Apply a layer of mulch
Adding mulch around plants is one of the most effective ways to retain moisture in the soil, so it’s little wonder that it found itself on Monty Don’s 4-step guide to watering in a drought.
‘If you have soil that is full of organic matter and therefore becomes loam, it will retain moisture, and that’s really the secret of watering plants. Your plants should not be dependent upon you giving them water. They should be dependent upon accessing water that’s in the soil,’ he says.
Morris wholeheartedly agrees with this approach. ‘Mulching helps lock moisture into the soil, reduces evaporation, keeps roots cooler and suppresses weeds that compete with plants for water,’ he says. ‘A generous layer of organic mulch can significantly reduce how often you need to water during a heatwave.’
As well as conserving moisture, mulch gradually breaks down over time, improving soil structure and supporting healthier plant growth, making it a true triple threat worth investing in, quite frankly! Try something like the RocketGro Magic Mulch from Amazon.
3. Water deeply every few days
Rather than reaching for the watering can every evening, Monty Don recommends watering less frequently but much more thoroughly in his 4-step guide. ‘If you only water on the surface, the roots have to come to the surface to find it and are therefore more exposed to the heat and drought,’ he notes, pointing out that you should ‘never water plants, water the soil’.
So, how best to do this? Well, rather than watering little and often, Morris explains that ‘giving plants a thorough soak encourages roots to grow deeper into the soil’. ‘Plants with deeper root systems are far better equipped to cope with dry conditions because they can access moisture lower down in the soil,’ he says.
Morris adds that deep watering also reduces surface evaporation, ensuring more water reaches where plants need it most. Win! Try this nifty rainwater-collecting watering can from Crocus if you really want to keep it sustainable!
4. Add grit to containers
Container plants often dry out much faster than those growing in borders, making them particularly vulnerable during hot weather. And that’s where something like Melcourt RHS horticultural potting grit from Amazon comes into play.
‘Mixing grit into compost improves drainage and aeration, helping container-grown plants develop healthier roots and making the compost structure more resilient after watering,’ says Morris, who notes that healthier roots are better able to absorb and retain moisture.
Improved compost structure, too, helps prevent pots from becoming compacted after repeated watering, he promises.
FAQs
How often should I water my garden in heatwave?
During a heatwave, it’s best to water your garden deeply every few days rather than little and often. Giving plants a thorough soak encourages roots to grow deeper into the soil, helping them find moisture and cope better with dry conditions. Just be sure to aim to water early in the morning or later in the evening when temperatures are cooler, as this reduces evaporation and allows plants to absorb more water.
Adding mulch around plants can also help lock in moisture, meaning you won’t need to water as frequently.
How do you water your garden during a hosepipe ban?
During a hosepipe ban, the key is to make every drop of water count. Collecting rainwater in a water butt is one of the most effective ways to keep plants hydrated, while water from everyday household tasks can also be reused in the garden. Cooled pasta water (without salt or oil) can be used to water ornamental plants, and bath water can be reused so long as it doesn’t contain harsh chemicals or large amounts of products such as oils and moisturisers.
For a more targeted approach, consider using an olla irrigation pot, which slowly releases water directly into the soil, helping plants stay hydrated while reducing evaporation. Combining these methods with Monty Don’s advice to mulch and water deeply means your garden can cope much better during dry spells.
Whether you’re facing yet another heatwave or trying to garden through a hosepipe ban, Monty Don’s advice focuses on making every drop of water count. By collecting rainwater, mulching regularly, watering deeply and improving the growing conditions in containers, you can help your plants withstand dry weather while using water far more efficiently.
And, really, isn’t that worth the effort of just four simple little steps?
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