The Importance of Watering Your Garden in July

July often brings some of the warmest and driest weather of the year in the UK, and while this is great for enjoying time outside, it can put real stress on your garden. With higher temperatures and longer daylight hours, moisture evaporates more quickly from the soil, and plants lose water faster through their leaves. Without adequate watering, this can lead to wilting, stunted growth, or even the loss of some of your favourite plants.

Watering your garden regularly and correctly during July is crucial to keep it healthy, especially during heatwaves or dry spells. The best times to water are early in the morning or late in the evening, when the sun is lower and temperatures are cooler. This helps ensure the water soaks into the soil rather than evaporating too quickly. It also reduces the risk of leaf scorch, which can occur if water droplets sit on leaves during the heat of the day.

Not all areas of the garden require the same amount of attention. Young plants, newly planted shrubs, vegetables, and hanging baskets are especially vulnerable to dry conditions and will need more frequent watering. Established trees and shrubs are usually more resilient but can still benefit from occasional deep watering in prolonged dry periods. Lawns may turn brown in the heat, but this is a natural response to drought, and they typically recover when rain returns—so don’t worry if your grass isn’t perfectly green

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To make your watering more efficient, consider adding mulch around the base of plants to help retain moisture in the soil. Using water butts to collect rainwater is an eco-friendly way to reduce reliance on mains water. It’s also better for your plants, as rainwater is softer and less treated. Watering deeply but less often encourages deeper root growth, making plants more drought-tolerant in the long run.

By paying close attention to watering during July, you’ll help your garden stay lush, colourful, and productive throughout the summer—and create a more resilient and sustainable outdoor space.