The UK has been in the grip of a seemingly never-ending heatwave for a huge chunk of the summer
Jane Lavender and Tom Kershaw Head of Live News
07:58, 10 Aug 2026
The UK has been in the grip of a seemingly never-ending heatwave for a huge chunk of the summer(Image: Getty)
Summer holiday season is well and truly upon us – and millions of Britons are heading abroad for a fortnight in the sunshine.
However, one of the downsides of a lovely summer getaway with family or friends is the potential state of your garden upon your return. The UK has been gripped by what seems like an endless heatwave for much of the summer, leaving our gardens parched and grass, plants, trees and flowers already looking worse for wear.
Factor in a fortnight of neglect while you’re away and you could be greeted by a rather dismal sight when you arrive home from your break. Making matters worse, millions of UK households are also subject to a hosepipe ban as water companies desperately attempt to preserve supplies, reports the Express.
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From 8 August, South West Water imposed a hosepipe ban affecting 1.8 million homes, including those in Devon, Cornwall, parts of Dorset and Somerset. This comes in addition to the ban already in force in Mid and East Devon. Areas served by Affinity Water, including Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Surrey, and parts of London and Essex, are already under a hosepipe ban.
Additionally, Anglian Water has introduced one across the entire region it serves, along with everywhere covered by Cambridge Water. In Wales, Mid and South Ceredigion, North Pembrokeshire, and North Carmarthenshire are subject to a hosepipe ban by Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water.
Essex and Suffolk Water has also introduced a ban across its entire region, while South East Water has imposed one covering Kent, Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire. Southern Water has brought in a ban for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, while Thames Water has implemented restrictions across its entire coverage area, encompassing Greater London, the Thames Valley, Surrey, Gloucestershire and North Wiltshire.
Monty Don has some key advice for gardeners(Image: Getty)
However, there’s no need to panic. Gardeners’ World presenter and renowned gardening expert Monty Don has shared essential advice to minimise the impact during those summer weeks when you’re unable to look after your outdoor space personally.
On his blog, Monty outlined precisely what gardeners need to do to ensure their garden remains in excellent condition. He explained: “If you do get away prepare the garden so that it will still look good when you get back – especially if it will be left for two weeks.
“Mow the lawn, weed, and make sure plants are well supported. Pots are most likely to suffer in hot weather and an irrigation system is ideal, but at very least give them a good soak before you go. Ideally move smaller pots into the shade and group them together which will reduce evaporation.
“If you have sweet peas or vegetables ready to harvest ask friends or neighbours to come and pick them.”
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