Managing Water on the Plot: Drought Proofing Your Allotment

“For the allotmenteer, managing water wisely isn’t just about conservation. It’s essential for keeping your crops alive and your soil thriving.”

Water is a precious resource, especially during the height of summer when droughts hit and rainfall disappears for weeks, just like what many of us are experiencing right now. On an allotment, where water access can be limited or shared, good water management is not just helpful, it’s essential. But with a bit of planning, practical habits and a few adjustments, you can keep your crops healthy without relying entirely on a hosepipe or endless trips with the watering can. Here are my top tips for keeping your plot productive, even during a dry spell.

1. Harvest Every Drop

The first rule of drought resilience is capturing what water you can. If your shed or greenhouse has a roof, fit guttering and direct rainwater into barrels. On an allotment, where water butts can quickly empty in summer, it’s worth going big. Upcycle containers like old baths, food safe IBCs or even vintage milk churns as extra reservoirs. Make sure every square inch of roof space on your plot is channelling rain into storage. In dry spells, that water will be gold.

2. Mulch, Mulch, Mulch

Once your soil is wet, keep it that way. A thick mulch of compost, leaf mould, rotted grass clippings or straw around plants helps trap moisture, suppress weeds and regulate soil temperature. It’s especially helpful around fruiting crops like courgettes, beans and pumpkins, which have shallow, thirsty roots. Avoid using fresh wood chippings as mulch, as they can alter the pH of your soil and affect crop growth.

3. Choose Drought Tolerant Crops

Mediterranean herbs like rosemary, thyme and oregano thrive in dry conditions. Squash, sweetcorn and beans also hold up well. Leafy greens and brassicas need more water, so plant them closer to your water source or reduce their quantity during the hottest months. Save thirsty crops like celery and lettuce for cooler months or shaded corners of your plot.

4. Water Wisely

“Forget daily sprinkling. It encourages shallow rooting and wastes water.”

Instead, water less frequently but deeply, preferably early in the morning or later in the evening to reduce evaporation. Always target the base of the plant. Use a rose free watering can or install a seep hose that slowly releases water directly into the soil, making the most of what you have.

5. Improve Your Soil

Good soil holds water better. Add organic matter like compost, well rotted manure or green manure crops to improve structure and boost water retention. Clay soils may crack in summer but can retain moisture well when enriched. Sandy soils need even more organic matter to prevent water loss.

6. Group Your Plants

Cluster crops with similar watering needs together. Keep moisture lovers like courgettes and lettuce in one area where you can water more generously. This method, called polyculture, differs from traditional allotment monoculture and also helps improve resilience to pests and diseases as well as drought.

A Lesson Learned on My Plot

When I took over my plot, I had to start from scratch with water conservation. It was right at the top of my list to sort, and with the recent heat, I’m so glad I did. Now I’ve got a steady supply of stored water and with the odd rain shower we’ve had, I’m managing to keep it topped up too.