What are the rules for watering your garden during a drought?

Last year, drought affected many parts of the UK – 11 of the 14 Environment Agency areas of England to be exact! – with hosepipe bans imposed across the board. While we don’t know what the future holds for this summer, understanding the rules for watering your garden during a drought will certainly help you to prepare.

Read on to find out more about which rules could be enforced if a drought is declared in your area and how you can take care of your garden in the face of a hosepipe ban without breaking them!

What are the rules during a drought?

The prearranged drought plans designed and enforced by water companies, ban the use of hosepipes and other equipment (such as lawn sprinklers) to conserve water for a set period of time.

They also encourage households and business premises to reduce their water usage and in turn minimise damaging wastage. This means you should avoid unnecessary usage, such as washing your car, cleaning your windows or overwatering your garden.

It is important to acknowledge that droughts are more than just a shortage of water. Drought conditions pollute water supplies, kill marine life, cause crop failures and trigger wildfires. A fact that makes sticking to the rules vital.

What happens if you break the rules?

Unbeknown to most, breaking the rules of a hosepipe ban during a drought can leave you liable for penalties. If you are caught, you could be fined up to £1,000 in accordance with the latest flood and water management legislation.

How can you take care of your garden during a ban?

With a little clever thinking, you can still look after your garden during a drought. While you’re banned from using your hosepipe and sprinklers to keep your garden hydrated, using water wisely and applying it to your garden with a watering can will keep waste to a minimum.

Restrict your watering sessions to early morning or late evening to ensure your plants get all the hydration they need with minimal risk of evaporation. Using greywater, i.e. leftover water from showering or cooking, is another great way to reduce wastage. The water left over from boiling vegetables is particularly nutritious for garden plants.

If you’d like a helping hand maintaining your garden this summer, use our handy search tool to find a local gardener today.