Rescue a dry container plant
Check whether a pot is truly dry, re-wet it evenly and reduce the chance of another sudden wilt.
More practical guidance
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Redesign your whole garden as a phased landscaping projectβ Golden EditionSurvey your plot, design a layout that suits how you live, check the rules, price it properly and build it in the right order, so a garden makeover lands on budget.Deal with Japanese knotweed on or near your propertyβ Golden EditionConfirm knotweed, stop it spreading, choose the right treatment, deal with neighbours and protect your home's value when you sell or remortgage.Build a garden room or outbuilding without planning troubleβ Golden EditionCheck permitted development and Building Regulations, choose the right base and supplier, and stage payments so your garden room is legal, certified and easy to sell with later.π In-depth: The complete guide to a year in a UK gardenFreeA season-by-season guide to looking after a UK garden: soil, planting, pruning, watering, lawns, wildlife and the tools that make the work easier. 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compost binFreeBuild a balanced mix of moist green material and drier brown material, then adjust air and moisture when decomposition stalls.Lay and look after a new lawnπ MembersPrepare the ground, choose between seed and turf, and care for a new lawn through its first weeks so it roots well and stays healthy.Plan a small vegetable bedπ MembersChoose a sunny spot, build or prepare a manageable bed, and plan easy crops so you can grow and harvest your own vegetables in the first season.Water a garden efficiently in dry spellsπ MembersKeep plants alive through heatwaves and dry spells by watering the right plants, at the right time, with less water and less effort.Deal with slugs without harming wildlifeπ MembersProtect seedlings and vegetables from slugs and snails using barriers, traps, timing and natural predators, without risking hedgehogs, birds or pets.Improve clay soil drainageπ MembersMake heavy, sticky clay soil easier to work and less waterlogged by adding organic matter, avoiding compaction and using raised beds or drains where needed.Prune garden shrubs at the right timeπ MembersWork out when and how to prune common garden shrubs based on when they flower, so you keep them healthy and shapely without cutting off next year's blooms.Build a small wildlife pondπ MembersPlan, dig and plant a small wildlife pond with shallow edges and native plants, so frogs, insects and birds can use it safely.Take cuttings to grow new plants for freeπ MembersTake softwood, semi-ripe and hardwood cuttings from your own plants at the right time of year and grow them on into healthy new plants.Renovate a tired, patchy lawnπ MembersBring a thin, mossy or patchy lawn back to health with scarifying, aerating, overseeding and better mowing habits over one growing season.Plan and plant a new flower borderπ MembersPlan a new flower border that suits your soil and light, choose plants for year-round interest, and prepare and plant it so it establishes well.Quick checklist
- Dryness confirmed below surface
- Root ball wetted evenly
- Drainage holes clear
- Plant protected during recovery
- Watering check scheduled
Common problems
The compost stays wet and the plant wilts
Stop watering, check drainage and roots, and identify whether rot or another problem is present.
Water immediately escapes
Dry peat-based compost can repel water. Re-wet slowly in several passes rather than flooding once.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to plant in the UK?
Autumn is a good time to plant trees, shrubs and many perennials, because the soil is still warm and winter rain helps roots establish. Spring suits tender plants and most vegetables once the risk of frost has passed. Frost dates vary a lot around the UK, so check local advice and watch the forecast before planting anything tender outside.
How often should I water my garden?
Established borders and lawns usually need little watering except in long dry spells. New plants, containers and vegetables need regular watering, and a thorough soak a couple of times a week is better than a light daily sprinkle. Water early in the morning or in the evening so less is lost to evaporation.
Is it safe to use weedkillers and pesticides?
If you use them, follow the label exactly, keep children and pets away as directed, and never pour leftovers down drains. Many problems can be handled by hand weeding, mulching and encouraging natural predators instead. Store garden chemicals in their original containers, locked away.
Which plants are poisonous to pets or children?
Some common garden plants, such as foxgloves, yew, laburnum, lily of the valley and daffodil bulbs, can be harmful if eaten. Teach children not to eat anything from the garden without asking, and check plant labels before buying. If someone may have eaten a poisonous plant, call NHS 111, or 999 if they are seriously unwell, and contact a vet straight away for a pet.
Do I need permission to cut down a tree in my garden?
Trees may be protected by a Tree Preservation Order or because you live in a conservation area, and felling them without consent can lead to prosecution. Check with your local council before felling or doing major work on a large tree. Nesting birds are also protected by law, so avoid cutting hedges and trees where birds are nesting.
What to do next
Check the plant the next morning. Remove only clearly dead material and adjust light, pot size or compost if drying is repeatedly too fast.