Beyond the hosepipe ban: Designing gardens for a drier future
The recent Thames Water hosepipe ban and others from South East Water has understandably left many new (and older) garden owners wondering what they should do. The good news is that there are exemptions for some newly planted gardens, young trees and hedging, and certain fixed drip irrigation systems, but these come with conditions, so it's always worth checking the latest Thames Water guidance before relying on them. (Thames Water)
As a garden designer, however, I think the hosepipe ban opens up a much bigger conversation.
One of my clients recently said something that has really stayed with me:
"We don't plant for death."
They're right. Newly planted trees and shrubs need enough water to establish healthy root systems. Allowing them to fail simply means replacing plants, wasting resources and increasing the carbon footprint of a garden. But equally, I don't believe we should be creating gardens that rely on treated drinking water year after year (or indeed ideally at all).
The real challenge is designing landscapes that need very little intervention once established.
That starts with healthy soil. Organic matter acts like a sponge, holding onto moisture for longer. Mulching reduces evaporation and protects soil life. Choosing plants suited to local conditions means they'll naturally require less additional watering. And, where possible, we should be harvesting the rain that already falls on our roofs rather than sending it straight into drains.
My own allotment is mulched with around 3 inches of compost, locking in moisture.
This isn't a new idea.
In 2022, I travelled to southern Spain to study traditional and contemporary approaches to water capture. What struck me wasn't simply how efficiently water was used, it was how beautifully it was celebrated. Rainwater channels became architectural features. Courtyards gently directed water towards planting. Small rills, cisterns and storage tanks were integrated into the landscape rather than hidden away.
It was practical, elegant and utterly inspiring.
As our climate changes, I believe British gardens can learn from this approach. Water storage doesn't have to mean an ugly plastic tank tucked behind a shed. It can become part of the design.
Simple measures can make a remarkable difference:
Install rainwater butts, or better still, connect multiple butts together.
Consider underground storage tanks where budgets allow.
Shape the land to create shallow depressions that slow and hold rainfall around planting.
Direct downpipes into rain gardens or planted swales.
Increase soil organic matter and mulch annually.
Choose resilient planting adapted to hotter, drier summers.
Water deeply during establishment rather than little and often.
These ideas don't just reduce water use; they create healthier, more resilient gardens that continue to thrive as our climate changes.
I'm always interested in working with clients who want to think differently about water. If you're planning a new garden, let's design somewhere that's beautiful, regenerative and prepared for the future where rainwater isn't treated as waste, but as one of the garden's greatest assets.