On a hot summer day, about half of the water used in the Hastings will be poured onto gardens and, sadly, most of that will be wasted running away to the drains or by evaporation.

Do not water in the heat of the day. This causes evaporation.

Water the roots not the leaves. This encourages deep root growth and makes your plants hardier.

Watering the leaves can actually cause damage. For some plants, the drops act like tiny magnifying glasses which can burn the leaves. For trees and shrubs, a good soaking every few days is better than a daily spray.

Annuals and ferns require more regular watering. For these plants it is best to use a microspray, which distributes water at a rate the soil can absorb.

And remember, most native plants need less water.

Mulching Helps the Soil Retain its Moisture

Mulches can reduce evaporation by up to 70%-80%. There are many materials both organic and inorganic, which can be used as mulch.

Before you apply any mulch, it is best to soak the ground. Keep mulch away from tree trunks. Create a small gutter between the trunk and the mulch. This avoids fungal damage to the bark, and helps get water to the root system.

Organic mulching materials like straw, bark and woodchip, either on their own or mixed, should be spread between 3cm and 4cm deep.

These mulches decompose, adding nutrients to the soil and improving its texture. Better textured soil absorbs water more readily, with less run-off.

Lawn clippings and leaves should not be applied on their own as they tend to form into a compact, water-resistant mass. However, you can mix them in with other organic materials or compost them first. Inorganic mulches include pebbles, gravel and weed matting.

Black plastic is not recommended because it absorbs heat. On very hot days, this can damage or kill plant roots.

Mulching also keeps down weed growth. Remove any weeds that might grow as they compete with you garden for water and nutrients.

Watering Lawns

Most lawns are watered far too much and too often.

Excessive lawn watering encourages shallow rooting. Your lawn is then less resistant to dry spells, and will need more water all the time.

Think of washing your car on the lawn. This will not damage the lawn. The phosphorus from the car shampoo acts as a fertiliser for your lawn.

How to train your lawn to need less water

Don't cut the grass shorter than 2cm. The lawns do not need daily watering. Leave some or all of the clippings on the lawn. This reduces the need for fertilisers and makes your lawn hardier.

Generally, even in summer, your lawn needs only around 15mm of water a week, from rain or from watering.