How to garden in a changing climate

Gardeners must adapt their gardens and green spaces as the weather continues to change as predicted by the Met Office. http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate-guide/climate-change .

Here are some simple tips you can follow to help your garden thrive in a changing climate:

Choose wind and drought tolerant plants such as geranium, lavender, thymes, sages, sedums, budlia, cystus, rosemary,agapanthas, grasses.

Letting your plants have a good soak every couple of days will be of more benefit than little and often watering as this does not encourage the plants to form strong roots to go down and search for water.

Install a water butt and water diverter to collect rain water from your roof, and remember to fit water butts to any sheds or greenhouses as well.

Mix water retaining gel into compost for free-standing pots and avoid containers that need regular watering such as hanging baskets.

Apply a mulch to moist ground to conserve water during autumn and spring to a depth of 3 to 4 inches ( chipped bark, mushroom compost or home made compost are good).

Try puddling new plants which means filling the hole with water several times before planting to lock in moisture.

Ensure plants are protected from wind which contributes greatly to drying out.

Cover the tops of containerswith pebbles to conserve moisture

Hide plants and pots that are not drought tolerant from mid-day sun

Avoid mowing lawns too often and too short as they survive better in drought if the blades shade each other

Never water or plant in full sun.

Grey water is re-usable on your garden from your kitchen sink, washing machine and bath providing that it does not contain much soap or detergent.

Experiment with new planting ideas and seek the advice of specialist nurseries to help you adapt your garden to an uncertain future http://www.myclimatechangegarden.com/blog/buy-climate-garden-plants 

How is your garden coping with extreme weather ?

Love to hear how  your garden is adapting to these challenging times?

Post your ideas and comments  on our Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/89840638326/

This post was written by:

- who has written 872 posts on My Climate Change Garden.

I am not an experienced gardener - more of an enthusiastic amateur who learns by trial and error and who is keen to "manage" the effects of shifting weather patterns on my garden. Writing this blog is my passion and it has evolved over 12 years to inspire engagement with climate change outside our back doors, in our personal gardens and green spaces. My mission is to fertilise and expand this platform to grow a community of global gardeners communicating about the effects of climate change on our plants and exploring how each individual can make small changes in our lives to become more sustainable. The future of our gardens and #OurPlanet is in our hands - please plant your own seeds for our collective sustainable future.

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2 Comments For This Post

  1. Raelene Kafel Says:

    Thank you, I have recently been looking for info about this topic for ages and yours is the best I’ve discovered so far.

  2. Debbie Says:

    Thanks for your comments about this blog. It has been a ten year labour of love and I am very glad that you found it useful and also hopefully inspirational.

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