Spring 2025 was one for the record books, not just for its sunshine, but for its scarcity of rain.
With just 128.2mm of rainfall across the UK, this spring was the driest in over 50 years, and the sixth driest since records began in 1836. In some areas, rainfall was more than 40% below the seasonal average, putting extra strain on water resources just as demand begins to rise.
As the summer has got off to hot start, with soaring temperatures, gardens are crying out for care. But keeping them green doesn’t have to mean turning on the tap. With reservoir levels across parts of the UK nearly 15% below average, it’s more important than ever to find smart ways to save water in the garden.
Water Butts are a fantastic solution. They collect and store rainwater, giving you a free, sustainable source of water for your plants. Here at Anglian Water Direct, we offer a range of water butts to suit every garden - big or small, modern or traditional. You can explore the full range here. That said, installing a water butt now won’t be an instant fix. With the hot, dry weather set to continue and little rain on the horizon, it’s unlikely to fill up until the wetter autumn months. Getting one in place now will mean you are ready to make the most of every drop when the rain does return.
But whether you’ve got a water butt or not, there are plenty of other ways to use water wisely this summer while still helping your garden thrive. With just a few simple swaps in how you care for your plants, you can save water, save money, and do your bit for the environment.
Grass is such a versatile plant that can survive in harsh conditions, including high temperatures and drought. It might be tempting to turn on the sprinkler when it begins to go brown but our friends over at Anglian Water are asking us to resist the urge, save water and learn to love your brown lawn. Trust the process, it will grow back green. Click here to find out more.
To help your plants flourish, fertiliser offers them a helping hand. If you have pet fish, you might be surprised to learn that your fish tank’s dirty water is full of beneficial bacteria and key plant nutrients such as potassium, nitrogen and phosphorus which help your plants thrive. These are some of the same nutrients that you’ll find in most shop-bought fertilisers. If you haven’t got round to cleaning your fish tank in a while, then it’s worth diluting the dirty tank water before using it on your plants so that it isn’t too concentrated.
Weeding is nobody’s favourite job, but keeping on top of those pesky weeds is an excellent way to help your garden thrive. Weeds compete for water and nutrients with the plants you have chosen to plant and often win! This leads to flowers, lawns, and shrubbery suffering due to not getting what they need to grow. So, whilst the weather is nice, why not make the most of it, get outside and pull up those weeds. You could also consider adding mulch, woodchip or bark to your garden beds. This allows rain and water to penetrate through to the soil and roots, whilst minimising the amount of water lost due to evaporation and help keep the weeds out.
To help conserve water, especially during the warmer summer months, try switching to a watering can whenever possible. No matter which method you use, timing is everything. Water your plants early in the morning or later in the evening to reduce water loss through evaporation. When the sun is at its strongest, moisture quickly evaporates from the soil’s surface, leaving less water available for your plants’ roots.
Make sure you are ready when it does rain this summer to collect as much as possible. If you don’t have a water butt connected to your drainpipes already, they are quick and easy to install. Alternatively, if you want to wait until the autumn to install one, consider leaving out buckets to collect water. You can even do this if you’ve already got a water butt installed to capture as much water as possible.
Beautiful gardens don’t have to cost the earth. From reusing grey water to watering at the right time of day, small changes can make a big difference. If you’re interested in purchasing a water butt to make sure you’re ready for next summer, look at our range here.
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