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While some of us might welcome warmer temperatures, our gardens may not be so grateful. You may have noticed how brown gardens, parks and landscapes have become this summer. Hotter summers and milder, wetter winters are becoming more common as our climate changes.
Across the UK, summer’s heatwaves have put increasing pressure on our natural environment. This year more than half of England is in drought, all of Wales is experiencing drought and parts of eastern Scotland are facing significant water scarcity. While Northern Ireland hasn’t experienced drought, they’ve faced exceptionally hot and dry conditions. These changing weather patterns affect wildlife and make it harder for many plants and animals to survive.
Scientists predict that by the end of this century, climate change could become as great a threat to biodiversity as habitat loss. As these changes continue, creating gardens that can cope with more extreme weather has never been more important.
As periods of extreme heat and heavy rainfall become more common, designing resilient gardens is one of the best ways to help your outdoor space adapt. A resilient garden is better able to cope with changing weather while providing food, shelter and nesting spaces for pollinators, birds and other wildlife.
Credit: Philip Formby / WTML
Trees provide shade, helping to cool your outdoor space during hot weather. They’re also valuable habitats for wildlife.
As they grow, trees help tackle climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide and filtering pollutants from the air. Native trees are adapted to local conditions, so they generally need less water and maintenance than many non-native species from wetter climates.
Credit: Alamy / Patrick Herzberg
Water is becoming an increasingly precious resource during hotter summers, especially in areas affected by hosepipe bans. Using it wisely can help your garden thrive while reducing waste.
Invest in a water butt or storage tank to collect rainwater throughout the year, giving you a sustainable source of water during dry spells. Water plants at their base rather than over the leaves and less often to encourage deep root growth and drought tolerance. Watering early in the morning or late in the evening also helps reduce water loss through evaporation. If you are using a hosepipe, make sure you repair leaks so you’re not wasting water.
Credit: Keith Burdett / Alamy Stock Photo
If you’re seeding your lawn, choose native grass for your garden. They have long root systems which reach deep into the soil, making them great for storing carbon. Keep the grass a bit longer to promote healthier roots, reduce weed growth and improve water retention. This will make your garden more heatwave resistant while creating a better habitat for wildlife. Some native grass species to consider include perennial rye-grass, cock’s-foot, Yorkshire fog and Timothy. These are all beneficial to wildlife but are also low maintenance.
Consider growing a meadow too, as longer grass is great for wildlife and cooling down the garden.
Credit: Nigel Cattlin / Alamy Stock Photo
Healthy soil acts like a sponge, improving water retention during dry weather while allowing excess water to drain away after heavy rain. That makes it one of the foundations of a resilient garden. You can improve your soil by adding homemade compost, leaving fallen leaves to break down naturally and minimising digging.
Credit: Bob Caddick / Alamy Stock Photo
Drought-tolerant native plants that support pollinators include spiked speedwell, thrift, common broom, lesser periwinkle, yarrow, catmint and sea holly. Lavender, although not native, is another excellent choice for bees and butterflies.
Before planting, spend time observing how the sun moves across your garden. Matching plants to the amount of sun or shade they receive means they’ll need less watering and are more likely to thrive.
Composting is an easy way to recycle kitchen and garden waste while improving the health of your soil. Compost helps soil retain moisture during dry weather and supports healthy plant growth. It can also reduce the need for synthetic fertilisers, which require significant energy to manufacture and can contribute to water pollution if used excessively.
If you’re buying compost, choose peat-free. Peatlands are important carbon stores and wildlife habitats. Removing peat releases stored carbon into the atmosphere, damages these unique ecosystems and contributes to habitat loss.
Designing your garden with wildlife in mind helps build a healthier, more resilient ecosystem. You can make your garden more wildlife friendly by planting a wildflower meadow or adding an insect hotel. Leave a patch of uncut grass to provide food and shelter for insects, birds and small mammals. Avoid using pesticides and utilise companion planting to control pests and diseases.
As our climate continues to change, gardens will play an increasingly important role in supporting wildlife and helping nature adapt. The rate and impact of climate change is alarming and there are concerns plants may not evolve at the same rate, becoming threatened or extinct. Adopting climate-conscious design to your garden, such as planting a tree, improving your soil and using water wisely, can make a real difference.
By creating a more resilient garden, you’ll not only help trees, plants and wildlife cope with heatwaves but you’ll also create a healthier, cooler and more enjoyable space for yourself.
