There hasn't been enough rain in Spain during the last two years. Even the south of England is currently experiencing the driest period since 1933, with lowest recorded rainfall over the last few winters.

Scientist predict that this trend is set to continue indeed many believe that this will become the norm, therefore we all need to consider water saving methods the garden  is one place where we can start saving this valuable life saving commodity.

Are you making the most of water in your garden?

Water is vital for successful gardening - follow the tips below and get the most out of the water you use:

• conserve moisture in the soil by applying a few inches of mulch to compost after watering
• avoid watering plants little and often as this will encourage shallow rooting - occasional but thorough watering will make plants more resilient to periods of drought
• watering over the leaves of plants is wasteful as a high proportion evaporates – water around the base of the plant 
• help plants retain moisture by placing pots in the shaded parts of the garden
• water later in the day to avoid moisture loss through evaporation
• avoid wasting water by distributing the water you use more effectively with a watering can or a hose with a trigger attachment – sprinklers are wasteful
• recycle bath, washing up and shower water on established plants – but remember to avoid water that is heavily loaded with detergents as it may damage your plants
• stop the competition for water – remove the weeds
• collect rainwater
• avoid frost damage and the worst effects of water logging to delicate plants by raising flower beds
• spike lawns and fold flower beds – this will keep soil well drained in the wet winter months.

Designing your own water-conscious garden

Basic tips:

• get a water butt to store rainwater
• compost green waste from your house and use this in your garden as a mulch
• use mulch to reduce the loss of water from the garden soil
• dig in mulch or manure to increase the organic content of the soil

Other ideas for a water-conscious garden

• using bark chips as a mulch to hold moisture and keep down weeds
• regularly hoe soil to stop cracks in the ground which let water wash away
• ground cover plants create shade that hold moisture in the soil
• washed gravel - keeps the ground moist and discourages weeds
• trellis screening casts shade to provide a cool area for climbing plants
• alpine beds with a mix of pea gravel and coir into the soil and top with more gravel - perfect for alpines!

We are currently testing and reviewing 5 water saving products and in our next article we will share with you our findings.