Summer is coming and that means it’s time to start saving water in all earnest. Incorporate the tips below into your gardening routine.

Make the hours between 10am and 4pm a no-watering zone. Most of the water you add to your garden during this period will be lost to evaporation. The best time to water most plants is early in the morning as the soil will have the chance to absorb the moisture and the foliage of the plants will have a chance to dry before nightfall, making them less likely to develop fungal diseases.

Consider replacing certain sections of your lawn with hardy groundcovers or paving stones. Lawns require a lot of water to look their best and by opting for an alternative, you will save lots of water and hassle (less mowing too!).

Add moisture retaining granules to outdoor containers and sandy garden beds. These granules work the same way as those in disposable nappies by sucking up additional moisture. When the plants need the moisture again they will withdraw it from the granules.

Wash your car with a bucket rather than a hosepipe and use a leaf blower to clean paved areas rather than the hosepipe.

Install a rainwater harvesting tank to store water during the rainy winter months. You can use the rainwater to water your garden and top up your pool during the summer months.