When a hosepipe ban is announced, it’s natural to worry about your garden.
Brown lawns, wilting plants and dry borders can quickly become a concern, especially after weeks of warm weather.
The good news is that with a few simple changes, you can help your garden survive prolonged dry conditions and give it the best chance of bouncing back once the rain returns.
At Cloverfields Gardening, we help homeowners throughout Bishop’s Stortford, Sawbridgeworth, Harlow, Stansted, Takeley and the surrounding villages keep their gardens looking their best all year round.
Our top tips for caring for your outdoor space during a hosepipe ban.
What Is a Hosepipe Ban?
A hosepipe ban, also known as a Temporary Use Ban (TUB), is introduced by water companies when water supplies come under pressure due to prolonged dry weather. The restrictions usually prevent the use of hosepipes for activities such as:
- Watering lawns
- Watering borders using a hose
- Washing cars
- Cleaning patios and driveways
- Filling paddling pools
However, in most cases, you can still use a watering can, provided it is filled directly from the tap rather than using a hosepipe. Always check the latest guidance from your local water supplier, as restrictions and exemptions can vary.
Will My Lawn Die?
This is by far the question we’re asked most during a dry spell.
Thankfully… Probably not.
Most established lawns don’t die during a hosepipe ban.Instead, they enter a natural state called dormancy. This is the lawn’s way of protecting itself during extreme heat.
Your grass may:
- Turn yellow
- Become brown
- Feel dry
- Stop growing
Although it may look dead, healthy lawns almost always recover once rainfall returns.
Should You Continue Mowing?
Yes — but with a few adjustments.
During hot weather:
✔ Raise your mower blades.
✔ Avoid cutting more than one-third of the grass length.
✔ Never scalp the lawn.
✔ Leave grass slightly longer than usual.
Longer grass shades the soil, helping it retain moisture and reducing stress on the roots. If your lawn has already turned brown, it’s often best to leave it alone until conditions improve.
Which Plants Need Water First?
If water is limited, prioritise:
- Newly planted trees
- Young shrubs
- Hanging baskets
- Pots and containers
- Vegetable gardens
Established shrubs and mature trees usually have much deeper root systems and are far more resilient than many people realise.
Water Smarter
If watering is permitted using a watering can:
The best time is:
🌅 Early morning
or
🌇 Late evening
Avoid watering during the hottest part of the day when much of the moisture evaporates before reaching the roots. It’s also better to water deeply once or twice a week than to give plants a small amount every day. Deep watering encourages stronger root growth.
Add Mulch to Your Borders
One of the simplest ways to reduce water loss is by applying mulch.
Mulch helps to:
- Lock moisture into the soil
- Suppress weeds
- Keep roots cooler
- Improve soil quality over time
Organic mulch such as bark chips, compost or well-rotted manure works particularly well.
Should You Feed Your Lawn?
No. Applying lawn feed during prolonged dry weather can do more harm than good.
Fertiliser encourages new growth, but without enough moisture, the grass struggles to support it. Instead, wait until rainfall returns before feeding your lawn.
What About Hanging Baskets?
Hanging baskets dry out much faster than plants growing in the ground.
To help them survive:
- Water early in the morning.
- Remove dead flowers regularly.
- Position baskets in partial shade where possible.
- Use water-retaining compost.
- Consider adding water-retaining gel crystals when planting.
Is Now a Good Time to Landscape Your Garden?
Absolutely. In fact, many homeowners use dry weather as an opportunity to rethink their outdoor space.
A professionally designed low-maintenance garden can significantly reduce water usage while still looking fantastic throughout the year. Popular options include:
- Porcelain patios
- Decorative gravel
- Raised sleeper beds
- Drought-tolerant planting
- Artificial grass
- Permeable pathways
These features not only reduce maintenance but also help create a garden that performs well during increasingly hot UK summers.
Five Common Hosepipe Ban Mistakes
Cutting your grass too short
Watering during the middle of the day
Feeding lawns in hot weather
Ignoring newly planted shrubs
Thinking brown grass is dead
Simple changes can make a huge difference to the health of your garden.
Looking Ahead
Long, dry summers are becoming more common across Hertfordshire and Essex. Planning your garden with drought resilience in mind can save time, reduce water usage and make maintenance much easier in the future.
Whether you’re considering a new patio, artificial lawn, raised beds or a complete garden makeover, choosing the right materials and planting schemes now can help your garden thrive whatever the weather.
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Need Advice About Your Garden?
If you’re looking for expert advice on caring for your garden during a hosepipe ban, or you’re considering creating a more water-efficient outdoor space, we’re here to help.
Cloverfields Gardening works with homeowners across Bishop’s Stortford, Sawbridgeworth, Harlow, Hatfield Heath, Takeley, Stansted, Little Hallingbury and the surrounding areas, providing professional landscaping, garden design and maintenance services.
Contact us today for a free, no-obligation quotation and let’s create a garden that’s built to thrive in every season.
See why homeowners trust us to design and maintain their dream gardens – our customers rave about our attention to detail, reliability, and personal touch.
Excellent service. Professional & high quality work. Would recommend Cloverfields if you’re considering any gardening work. Only downside is that they’re so good you may have to wait a little! But it’s well worth the wait if you want the best job.
Carol H
I’ve used Ian and his team for several years, they’ve put up fencing, laid a patio, levelled and laid two lawns and have done general garden maintenance. Always reliable, friendly and work very hard. We’ve been really pleased with the work they’ve done. Highly recommend.
Naomi M
A good quality company and very reliable. Laid a whole new bit of turf at my property and it’s fantastic. All done in 2 days and for a great price too. Would 100% use them again in the future. Highly recommend.
Paul S
Cloverfields recently put down a lovely new patio for me which I am very pleased with. They had lots of helpful advice, the quote was great and they had a lot of flexibility on dates which was really helpful! Lovely finish, no mess and I would definitely recommend them!
Adam S
Cloverfields have done a great job tidying up our overgrown garden and repairing the fence when it blew down in the recent storms. Ian has been fantastically professional, helpful and friendly, even coming round on Christmas Eve to carry out emergency repairs! We would recommend Cloverfields to anyone who needs help with garden-related work.
Phoebe T
We have used Cloverfields for a number of years on a variety of gardening projects – from small and large fencing projects, plus patios, to sheds and even other remedial work – and it has all been completed in a timely way to an excellent standard. Moreover, work is carried out in a professional manner, with very good e-mail communication, competitive pricing and all areas of sites left very clean. We have absolutely no hesitation in recommending this company to you.
Peter & Caroline