Wiltshire


<p>The sun’s out, but while we’re basking in the rays our gardens are having a tougher time of it. Scorched lawns, droopy blooms and thirsty borders – hot, dry spells can wreak havoc on your patch. Step forward David Glass, Head Gardener at&nbsp;<a href="http://Head%20Gardener%20at%20Bowood%20House%20&amp;%20Gardens," target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bowood&nbsp;House &amp; Gardens</a>, who has shared the secrets to helping your plants thrive &#8211; and you save water &#8211; when temperatures soar.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2025/04/Bowood-walled-garden-Anna-Stowe-2.jpg" alt="Bowood walled garden " class="wp-image-36277" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2025/04/Bowood-walled-garden-Anna-Stowe-2.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2025/04/Bowood-walled-garden-Anna-Stowe-2-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2025/04/Bowood-walled-garden-Anna-Stowe-2-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2025/04/Bowood-walled-garden-Anna-Stowe-2-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image: Anna Stowe</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-1-keep-on-top-of-weeds">1. <strong>Keep on top of weeds</strong></h2>



<p>Weeds might be an annoyance, but did you know they also hog water? ‘Weeds are surprisingly thirsty, so keep your borders weed-free and make sure the water you do use goes to the right plants,’ says David. ‘It’s a simple job that makes a real difference, especially when water is scarce.’</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-2-stress-less-about-your-lawn">2. Stress less about your lawn</h2>



<p>‘In hot weather, lawns often go brown and that’s perfectly normal,’ says David. ‘Grass is very resilient and will bounce back once the rain inevitably returns. I wouldn’t worry too much about watering grass on a daily basis. Instead, give it a good soak every ten days, which is far better than a light splash here and there.’</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-3-time-your-watering">3. <strong>Time your watering</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2025/05/1-2.jpg" alt="Garden tips for hot weather" class="wp-image-36647" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2025/05/1-2.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2025/05/1-2-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2025/05/1-2-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2025/05/1-2-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>‘I always recommend watering during the coolest parts of the day,’ says David. ‘Try to do it either first thing in the morning or in the evening. This gives the water more time to soak into the soil and avoids it evaporating in the sun. If you water during the hottest parts of the day, most of the moisture disappears before it even reaches the roots.’</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-4-mulch-for-moisture">4. <strong>Mulch for moisture</strong></h2>



<p>Mulching is a great way to stop soil drying out. It essentially involves adding a thick layer of material onto the soil and around plants. ‘Mulching is something I do across the gardens at&nbsp;Bowood,’ says David. ‘It locks in moisture, improves the soil, and keeps weeds at bay. You can use bark, compost, and even stone chippings in pots. If you mulch well, you won’t need to water quite so often</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-5-choose-the-right-plants">5. Choose the right plants</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2025/05/garden-tips.jpg" alt="Garden tips for hot weather" class="wp-image-36646" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2025/05/garden-tips.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2025/05/garden-tips-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2025/05/garden-tips-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2025/05/garden-tips-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p><br>Keen to add to your patch? Choose your blooms with summer in mind. ‘If the warm weather continues and we are blessed with an extended spring and summer, I recommend picking drought-tolerant plants,’ says David. ‘These will thrive in your garden’s dry conditions. Lavender, sedum, thyme and other Mediterranean-style plants are good options that don’t need constant watering. It’s all about picking the right plant for the right place.’</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-6-buy-a-butt">6. <strong>Buy a butt</strong></h2>



<p>Water butts are a fab way to save water, and your plants love them too. ‘A water butt is a brilliant addition to any garden, at&nbsp;Bowood&nbsp;we use four large ones,’ says David. ‘They’re easy to set up and make use of free rainwater from your roof, greenhouse or shed. Not only does it reduce pressure on mains water supply, but rainwater is also often better for your plants too as it has a lower pH and contains more nitrogen and oxygen. By making a few simple adjustments, we can all do our bit to save water while helping our gardens to thrive.’</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-7-add-crystals-to-containers">7. <strong>Add crystals to containers</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2025/05/Garden-tips-for-hot-weather.jpg" alt="Garden tips" class="wp-image-36645" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2025/05/Garden-tips-for-hot-weather.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2025/05/Garden-tips-for-hot-weather-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2025/05/Garden-tips-for-hot-weather-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2025/05/Garden-tips-for-hot-weather-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p><br>‘For baskets and containers, I suggest mixing water-retaining gel into the compost,’ says David. ‘The granules absorb water and release it slowly, which means plants stay hydrated for longer and don’t need to be watered as frequently.’</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-8-don-t-overwater">8. <strong>Don’t overwater</strong></h2>



<p><br>It’s counterintuitive, but too much water can be as damaging as too little. ‘Established plants usually don’t need as much water as you think and overwatering can actually do more harm than good,’ says David. ‘Water less often, but thoroughly. This encourages the roots to go deeper into the soil, making the plant stronger and more drought-tolerant in the long run.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-9-shift-pots-into-shade">9. <strong>Shift pots into shade</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2025/05/1-3.jpg" alt="Garden tips for hot weather " class="wp-image-36648" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2025/05/1-3.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2025/05/1-3-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2025/05/1-3-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2025/05/1-3-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p><br>If you’re pots sit on a scorching patio, you might want to move them. ‘During the middle of a hot spell, give your potted plants a break from the heat by moving them to a slightly shadier spot,’ says David. ‘Positioning pots in a cooler spot helps the soil hold on to moisture for longer and protects your plants from drying out too quickly.’</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-10-recycle-water">10. Recycle water</h2>



<p>Think twice before you throw water down the sink, especially if you’re on a meter. &#8216;If you’ve been washing salad or boiling vegetables at home, don’t let that water go to waste,’ says David. ‘As long as it’s not soapy or full of detergent, it’s perfectly fine to use ‘grey water’ for plants.’</p>



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Hot stuff! How to keep your garden looking great in a heatwave

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