Fit a Water Butt
Plants prefer rainwater to tap water; fit a water butt to a downpipe and collect rainwater for your garden. They are available at most DIY stores or garden centres.

Lawns
Lawns may go brown if the weather is dry but they quickly recover when it rains and don't need to be watered in between. Cut the grass slightly longer in dry periods and less frequently, leaving the cuttings on to retain moisture.

Use a Layer of Mulch
Apply a thick layer of mulch, compost or chip bark on your soil between plants to help keep the moisture in and suppress weeds. Ground cover plants make the best mulches because they shade the ground and are cost effective.

The Best Way to Water
Water plants in the early morning or evening when it is cooler and less water is lost to evaporation. Give plants a good soaking once or twice a week in dry weather rather than light daily watering. New plants need regular watering until they are established. Use a watering can and aim directly at the roots, rather than scattering water on leaves.

Hosepipes and Sprinklers
If you have a garden sprinkler, you must have a water meter fitted at your home. Avoid leaving hoses and sprinklers running, a sprinkler uses as much water in one hour as a family of four in one day.
Fit a trigger gun to your hosepipe or best of all use a watering can.

Grey Water
Cooled bath, shower or laundry water can be used on plants if it is not too greasy but avoid re-using water with strong detergents or household cleaning agents.
Only use the water on plant roots, and not leaves.
Use a hosepipe to siphon bath water straight into the garden or a water butt.

Hanging Baskets
Use a water-retaining gel for pots and hanging baskets.