Cancelled summer holidays have made enjoying warm weather especially difficult this year, with many people confined to their gardens.

It can be tempting to try and give your garden the feel of a holiday resort by filling up paddling pools and constantly watering your lawn and flowers.

Wessex Water wants its customers to enjoy the time spent in their gardens this summer, while also helping them to use less water where possible.

The water and sewerage company has put together the following water saving tips to help you reduce your water usage, without compromising on the joys of summer:

  • Ditch the hose for a can

The average hosepipe uses a whopping nine litres of water per minute. Using a watering can on your plants will not only save a lot of water but will also allow you to directly reach their roots, meaning your plants will be healthier. You’ll also keep your water bill down if you’re on a meter. Another useful tip is to try and water your plants early in the morning or in the evening and using mulch to reduce the amount of water lost through evaporation.

  • Leave your lawn alone

As soon as some people see their lawn turn a little bit brown, they switch on their sprinklers or uncoil their hosepipe. However, you can let it to go brown because as soon as the wet weather returns it will go back to normal. You can take this a step further by not cutting it either – letting it grow longer during dry spells can help to retain moisture in your soil. Allowing daisies, clover or dandelions to pop up is also super helpful for pollinators. A slightly longer or browner lawn won’t have an impact on your sunbathing sessions.

  • Plant a drought-tolerant garden

Many flowers and herbs are naturally adapted to growing in dry weather, including some of the UK’s most popular and familiar species. Try planting sage, alliums, lavender, verbena or rosemary in your garden – you can find these seeds online and in your local gardening centre. They require little watering, so you will be able to spend more time relaxing in the sun. Not to mention, you will also have a supply of fresh herbs you can use when cooking!

  • No need to fill to the brim

People are inflating pools across the country as a way of keeping themselves and their children cool during the warm weather. You could potentially save dozens of litres of water by filling your paddling pool with just a couple of inches less water. Instead of pouring this water down the drain when you’re finished, grab a bucket and use it to water your plants so that it doesn’t go to waste!

  • Switch to a mitt for your car

Washing the car certainly feels like less of a chore if you can do it in the glorious sunshine. Take the burden off your water bill as well by opting for a bowl of soapy water and a sponge rather than your hosepipe. Alternatively, you could purchase a water saving car wash mitt which will enable you to scrub away at any stubborn bits of dirt in hard-to-reach places in addition to using significantly less water than a hosepipe.

Request your FREE water saving pack

Wessex Water is also helping its customers to save up to 60 litres of water a day throughout their homes with a bespoke free water saving pack. To order the pack visit wessexwater.co.uk/savingwater