Conserve Water And Still Enjoy Your Garden With Drought-Friendly Landscaping

During the summer months it can be difficult keeping your garden in tip-top condition. Some plants will need a lot of water to survive long, hot periods. With so many of us working longer and longer hours it can be tricky making sure plants get the attention they need.

Many of us are also now more conscious about our water usage. Water conservation is a big issue these days as the population increases and more demand is put on fresh water resources. It makes sense to plan a garden that does not require a lot of water and can survive, with minimum of fuss, any long drought periods in the summer.

Landscaping Surrey services will be able to offer advice and assistance when it comes to planning drought-friendly gardens. Using expert services like this is an easy way to make sure you get a garden that not only saves you water but also looks fantastic as well. The garden is an important part of any home and can really add value and appeal to properties. Here are just a few ideas to get you started planning your drought-friendly, water conservation garden.

Ditch the Lawn

One of the quickest ways to reduce your water usage in the summer is to get rid of your lawn. Grass is a wonderful plant but it requires a lot of water. This is one of the first plants to wilt and brown in the summer and keeping it looking in lush, green perfection is a big job. There are many other options for ground cover in gardens such as pretty gravel areas, decking and stone slabs. These look great and will help you save water and keep your garden looking fantastic in the summer.

Build Beds

Plant beds can be a good way to organise your garden and conserve water. Build slightly raised beds that will help to contain water and prevent runoff. This will make the most of any water you to give your plants. Also try and group more water-dependant plants together. This will enable you to concentrate your watering efforts and reduce wastage.

Choose Your Plants

There are a whole host of beautiful plants available that do not require a lot of water. These plants will thrive in dry, arid environments and will only need the occasional rain shower or manual watering. Do some research or ask for expert help before you buy drought-friendly plants. You will want to choose species that suit your eye for design and also fit in well in the type of soil in your garden.

Lavender is a classic example of a drought-friendly plant and the flowers are very beneficial to wildlife such as bees and hoverflies. Groundcover bushes like thyme are a great idea on sloping gardens as they help to reduce runoff and conserve water. Many shrubs such as arborvitae will require very little water once established and help to create structure and texture in larger gardens. Shrubs and small trees can also provide essential shade for other plants and help reduce water evaporation in the garden.

Water Feature

A water feature may not seem like the best idea for a garden designed to conserve water. However there are many great water feature designs now that capture and recycle water. This means they actually require very little water to function and provide a lovely feature in gardens. This is a great way to add diversity to gardens and provide a contrast to areas of paving, gravel or decking. Providing a water source in your garden will also help to attract more wildlife such as birds, butterflies and bees.

Sally Dimmock writes extensively about gardens and loves to explore new tips and techniques. With the assistance of landscaping Surrey services she has designed a stunning drought-friendly garden that conserves water and supports local wildlife.