Holiday Home Garden Care in a Hosepipe Ban
With the ongoing dry weather across the South West, many homeowners are understandably concerned about the impact on their gardens. South West Water's hosepipe ban came into effect just after midnight on Saturday 8 August 2026, covering customers across Devon, Cornwall, parts of Dorset and Somerset, and the Isles of Scilly.
For the properties we care for throughout South Devon and East Cornwall, the restrictions mean that hosepipes cannot be used for many non-essential activities, including watering gardens, filling paddling pools and cleaning patios.
While the dry conditions may slow the growth of lawns and some plants, there is still plenty that can be done to support gardens and help them remain healthy, tidy and resilient throughout the summer for you and your guests.
Supporting Gardens Through the Dry Spell
Our gardening teams continue to carry out productive visits, focusing on practical measures that help gardens cope with prolonged dry weather, including:
- Mulching beds and borders to help retain moisture in the soil
- Weeding and maintaining planting areas to reduce competition for water.
- Pruning and deadheading where appropriate to encourage healthy growth.
- Planting drought-tolerant varieties suited to changing conditions.
- Monitoring plant health and identifying signs of stress early.
- Advising on automatic watering systems for suitable container planting, where permitted under current guidance.
Additional Ways We Can Help
During periods of drought, small changes can make a significant difference. We can also support property owners by:
- Adding organic matter or soil improvers to help increase moisture retention.
- Raising pots onto feet or saucers to reduce water loss and improve efficiency when watering.
- Recommending rainwater collection and storage solutions for future use.
- Assessing garden planting schemes and suggesting more drought-resilient options where needed.
Gardens naturally respond to seasonal weather patterns, and periods of hot, dry weather can present challenges even for well-established landscapes.
By adapting maintenance routines and concentrating on the tasks that matter most, we can help ensure gardens across South Devon and East Cornwall continue to look cared for and remain in the best possible condition until wetter weather returns.
