Make the most of water Keep moisture locked in

Cover soil to prevent water evaporation

Keep plants happy without having to water them too much by:

• Covering the surface of your soil with a mulch such as a weed control fabric and/or gravel or chipped bark, prevents moisture evaporating from it – and keeps weeds down too. 
• In areas where bulbs and/or perennials will need to work their way through the mulch, opt for mini chipped bark.
• If you want self-sowers like forget-me-nots to germinate, go for well-rotted garden compost or manure. Whichever you choose, apply when the ground is at its wettest – usually in early spring. Don't forget to mulch plants in containers too.Good-looking options include pea gravel, stone and recycled glass chippings and shells. 
• Lining terracotta pots with polythene before planting and puncturing the bottom for drainage will also help to retain water. 
• Another way to keep moisture in is to add water retaining granules to the compost when you plant up your pots. These absorb water and so increase the amount of moisture held in the compost.