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You\u2019ve probably noticed your garden lawn<\/a> and local green spaces looking extremely parched the last few weeks. This has been a common sight across the UK, particularly in south east England, which saw only 7 per cent of its normal rainfall in July.<\/p>\n Last month England experienced its driest July since 1935, with a record-breaking heatwave that saw temperatures reach over 40\u00b0C, and lower than average rainfall across much of the country. This has resulted in low river flows across much of England, and reservoir levels falling across Yorkshire, central and south-west England.<\/p>\n At an emergency meeting held last Tuesday 26 July, the National Drought Group moved England into \u201cProlonged Dry Weather\u201d status, which is the stage before a drought.<\/p>\n While a drought hasn\u2019t yet been declared, the Met Office forecasts potentially several more dry weeks ahead \u2013 particularly in the south and southeast England \u2013 so the Environment Agency<\/a> and water companies are now enacting their early stages drought plans and are calling on everyone to do their bit in managing water use<\/a>.<\/p>\n So far hosepipe bans<\/a> have been announced by Southern Water for customers in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight (starting 5 August), and by South East Water for customers in Kent and Sussex (starting 12 August).<\/p>\n While other water companies haven\u2019t yet imposed hose pipe bans, customers in the south of England and the Midlands have been encouraged to use less water.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s everything you need to know about hosepipe bans.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n Save water<\/strong> During this period of prolonged dry weather, gardeners are being encouraged to use water wisely to protect water supplies and the environment. This involves avoiding use of hosepipes and sprinklers, opting instead for watering cans<\/a> filled with water from a water butt<\/a>, or reusing grey water. Read more water-saving ideas<\/a>.<\/p>\n Water your plants at the right time of day<\/strong> During hot weather it\u2019s important to water your plants at the right time of day<\/a> \u2013 first thing in the morning or in the evening \u2013 avoiding full sun when the water will evaporate quickly from the soil.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t water your lawn<\/strong> A yellow, parched lawn might not look very attractive but grasses<\/a> are hardy plants that can endure dry spells and will bounce back once cooler, wetter weather reappears.<\/p>\n Plant drought-tolerant plants<\/strong> Drought-tolerant plants<\/a> such as salvias<\/a>, phlomis and euphorbias are resilient, reliable plants that require very little water and can give your garden a beautifully Mediterranean aesthetic<\/a>.<\/p>\n Start making long-term changes now<\/strong> With the effects of Climate Change it\u2019s believed the UK could experience more extremes of dry hot weather in summer and wet weather in winter. Read our feature about what you can do in your garden to help adapt to these changes<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\nAre we facing a drought in the UK?<\/h2>\n
Is there a hosepipe ban in the UK?<\/h2>\n
How to look after your garden during dry weather<\/h2>\n