Sussex Gardeners Increasingly Asking How To Cope With Drought Says Family-Run Business

Hazel Still at South Downs Nurseries, Hassocks testing soil moisture level

With the prospect of a dry summer in store for the county, what can Sussex gardeners do to protect their plants and lawns this summer?

One family-run garden centre, with four sites across the county, says it’s being increasingly asked for help from those desperate to know, without any sign of significant rain in the forecast.

Hazel Still from Tates of Sussex Garden Centres said:

“Resorting to a hosepipe for the garden can use over a thousand litres of water and cost more than £1.50 per hour. That’s the equivalent to a family of four’s use across two days.

“Using less water takes pressure off vital water supplies while saving money.

"When it does rain (it is advisable to) collect rainwater; it’s free and plants prefer it to tap water.

"Water butts are ideal here, not just for homes but sheds, garages and greenhouses as well.

"Plants are also happy with so-called grey water, so consider if you can reuse water from hand washing, washing up, cleaning vegetables, cooking and alike; not forgetting the water running while you are waiting for the shower to get hot.

"Lawns turn brown in hot, dry weather but it’s best not to water it unless it’s newly-sown.

"Avoid stressing it by close mowing. When the rain returns the grass should recover quickly.

A top-tip is to water plant roots and not the foliage by directing water at the soil around the stems.

"Prioritise your water: plants in pots need to be watered more than those in the ground."