Recent wet weather may have brought relief to gardeners, but experts say appearances can be deceiving.
Despite recent rain, gardeners are being warned to keep watering as many gardens remain dry after an exceptionally dry spring.(Image: Getty Images)
Many gardeners may have welcomed the recent spell of cooler, wetter weather across the UK, believing the rain has reduced the need to water their plants. However, one gardening expert is warning that relying on rainfall alone could leave gardens struggling after one of the driest springs on record.
Recent showers have brought a noticeable change in conditions following months of unusually dry weather. While this has prompted many people to ease off watering routines, experts say the rainfall has done little to reverse the deeper effects of prolonged drought.
According to MyBuilder.com gardening expert Ellen Fletcher, gardens across the country remain severely dehydrated despite the return of rain, with damage often hidden beneath the surface.
The warning follows an exceptionally dry spring in many parts of the UK. Some areas recorded their lowest rainfall levels on record, with March proving particularly dry. The lack of moisture left many lawns, flower beds and plants under stress, while soil conditions deteriorated after weeks of limited rainfall.
Many gardens are still struggling after an unusually dry spring, with recent rainfall doing little to restore lost moisture(Image: Getty Images)
Although wetter conditions returned during May, Fletcher said many gardens have not received enough water to recover properly from the prolonged dry spell.
Climate change is also contributing to the problem, she explained, with changing weather patterns creating increasingly dehydrated gardens and making it harder for short bursts of rain to replenish moisture levels in the soil.
The dry conditions have caused additional problems for gardeners, with some plants dying off and leaving exposed patches of bare earth behind. According to experts, this can create a cycle that further damages the garden, as bare soil loses moisture and nutrients more quickly than planted areas.
As a result, surrounding plants may struggle to access the water and nutrients they need to remain healthy.
Fletcher said gardeners should continue watering even after rainfall, particularly if plants are newly established or growing in containers.
She explained: “These showers we have been experiencing are not anywhere near enough to meet the needs of our chronically dehydrated gardens at the moment. Even a proper deluge often does not meet the needs of our plants despite what we think. Water from rain showers evaporates fast and doesn’t reach plant roots.
“After such a prolonged period of dry weather this spring, even torrential rain does not cut the mustard when it comes to properly watering your plants. When plants are in pots, the drops often bounce off leaves and don’t even get into the soil, and newly established plants need consistent soil moisture, which rainfall won’t provide.
“While it may often seem like it’s rained a lot, the reality is that anything less than prolonged and heavy rain events won’t be enough. If in doubt, I’d always advise to continue regular watering and regular checks to check the soil has enough moisture.”
The expert noted that rain often fails to penetrate deeply enough into dry soil to reach plant roots, particularly after long periods without significant moisture. Container plants can be especially vulnerable because rainfall may land on leaves and run off before soaking into the compost.
Gardeners are therefore being encouraged to monitor soil conditions rather than relying solely on recent weather. Regular checks beneath the surface can help determine whether plants are receiving enough moisture, even when rain has fallen during the day.
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