Gardening in Dry Spells: How to Protect Your Plants from Drought

Let’s be honest, gardening in a heatwave is no one’s idea of fun. The soil turns to dust, your once-thriving seedlings begin to sulk, and every trip to the tap feels like a losing battle. But don’t panic. Whether you’re growing tomatoes in containers or nurturing a jungle of courgettes in raised beds, there are ways to keep your garden alive (and even thriving) when the rain disappears.

Get Mulching Like Your Harvest Depends on It

Mulching is the garden equivalent of putting a lid on a saucepan to keep the heat in, except here, we’re locking moisture in. A thick layer of organic mulch like straw, leaf mould, or even grass clippings keeps soil cool, slows evaporation, and suppresses weeds that compete for water.

Water Smart, Not Often

Forget the daily sprinkle, it’s a waste of water and barely penetrates the surface. Deep, infrequent watering encourages roots to grow downwards where it’s cooler and moister. Give plants a good soak early in the morning or in the evening when the sun’s not blazing.

Embrace Shade and Shelters

A little shade during peak heat hours can be a lifesaver. Temporary solutions like shade netting or even an old white bed sheet draped over can protect vulnerable crops. Lettuce can bolt in a heartbeat if left to roast, so plant it where it gets some afternoon shade, under the tall beans or near sunflowers.

Rethink What You Grow During Dry Spells

Some plants are just better built for drought. Mediterranean herbs like thyme and sage laugh in the face of a heatwave. So do chard, amaranth, and certain French beans. If water is scarce, prioritise crops that reward you generously with minimal fuss.

Container Savvy: Keep Pots Happy

Pots dry out fast. Group containers together to create a mini microclimate, and consider lining the inside with a bit of cardboard or a damp cloth before adding soil to retain moisture. And remember, bigger pots = more soil = slower drying out.

Don’t Disturb the Soil

It’s tempting to keep digging around to ‘check the moisture’, but disturbing the soil surface can actually speed up evaporation. Let your mulch do the work and only disturb where necessary.

Watch for Signs and Act Fast

Wilting leaves, dull colour, and crispy edges are your plant’s cry for help. But don’t just dump a gallon of water in panic. Check if the soil is actually dry a few inches down, overwatering stressed plants can be just as harmful. A targeted, calm approach goes further than a soaking frenzy.

We can’t control the weather (as much as we wish we could), but we can prepare for it. Dry spells are part and parcel of gardening these days, especially with our changing climate. But with the right techniques, you can keep your garden green, productive, and even a little smug-looking, no hosepipe bans required.