Water conservation
The south-east is the first region to face hosepipe bans every dry summer. Water-smart gardening isn't just about following the rules — it's about building a garden that thrives without depending on the hose.
The south-east water challenge
Kent and Sussex sit in the driest corner of England. Southern Water and South East Water serve one of the most water-stressed regions in Europe — and hosepipe bans have become a near-annual August event. The south-east receives less rainfall than many parts of northern France.
The Met Office projects that south-east England will see summer rainfall fall by up to 20% by 2050. For gardeners, this means the approach that worked in 2000 won't work in 2030. The gardens that will thrive are those built around water-smart principles from the ground up.
Most garden water use is wasteful and easily reduced. The seven changes below make a real difference — and most of them cost nothing.
Seven ways to use less water
Water in the evening
Reduces evaporation by up to 70% compared to midday watering. In the long, warm south-east evenings of July and August, this single change makes a significant difference.
Water the roots, not the leaves
A slow trickle at the base of a plant is far more effective than a spray over the foliage. Drip systems and leaky hoses are permitted even during most hosepipe ban restrictions.
Mulch everything
A 7cm layer of mulch reduces soil moisture evaporation by up to 75%. On the free-draining chalk soils of the South Downs and North Downs, this is transformative. Apply in spring when the soil is moist.
Install a water butt
A 200-litre water butt can collect enough rainwater from a small roof to water a vegetable garden through a dry spell. Fill over winter and use strategically through summer.
Improve your soil
Soil rich in organic matter holds water like a sponge. Particularly valuable on the sandy soils of coastal Sussex and the thin chalk soils of the Downs, which drain rapidly.
Group plants by water need
Keep thirsty plants together near a water source, and drought-tolerant plants in the driest spots. This makes watering more efficient and reduces waste during hosepipe bans.
Let your lawn go dormant
Grass goes brown in drought but doesn't die. It will green up with the first autumn rains. Watering a lawn during a hosepipe ban is both wasteful and illegal under Southern Water and South East Water restrictions.