Rain is coming after weeks of drought — prepare your garden now

| Senior Lifestyle Reporter Published August 5, 2026 4:53pm Updated August 5, 2026 4:55pm An expert has shared his top tips (Picture: Getty Images) After weeks of low rainfall and exceptionally high temperatures, the UK is finally going to get some wet weather. Outbreaks of rain are expected in Northern Ireland, Scotland, western England and Wales, with more unsettled weather and thunderstorms forecast for later in the week. But while your garden might be in desperate need of a drink, an expert has revealed there are a few things you’ll want to do before the heavens open. Guy Barter, the chief horticulturist at the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), has shared his top tips for getting your garden ready to absorb sudden storms. Parts of the UK are finally going to see some rain (Picture: Getty Images) Clear your gutters While we might not be expecting torrential rain, it’s always best to be prepared. So start by ensuring all of your water butts, pipes, and gutters are clear and ready to accept whatever may come. Loosen compacted soils Ask Metro Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about – powered by Metro and trusted publications. Next, your attention should turn to the soil, which after weeks of drought will have become dusty, compacted, and water repellent. To help it better absorb water, Guy advises loosening compacted soil with a fork or spade. But this doesn’t apply to clay soils, which should be left alone. ‘Clay soils develop alarming cracks in dry weather,’ he explains. ‘In effect they are, rather conveniently, digging themselves. Don’t attempt to fill in cracks with sand or soil. Excess rain here just runs into the cracks and is gone. The soil then swells, and the cracks disappear until the next period.’ The drought will have left gardens in need of a drink (Picture: Geoffrey Swaine/Shutterstock) The soaking process Apply coarse mulch such as bark and woodchips to bare soil to aid in the soaking process, but leave any areas around trees and plants as they are, so the water can go straight to the roots. The plants don’t need the additional help, as the foliage will collect rain, which gets channelled down the trunk or stem and goes into the roots. Don’t get out the watering can According to Guy, it’s best to suspend watering until the storms have passed. This is because wet soil has no room to accommodate more water. ‘With luck the rain will be enough to limit the need to resume watering, but in truth several wet days will be needed to do that,’ he says. Don’t get the mower out just yet (Picture: Getty Images) Avoid mowing grass By now you’ll probably have had the urge to get the mower out and tidy up any long, dried grass, but Guy claims this would be a mistake. ‘Taller grass is good at stopping water run-off, and immobile water can overcome the water-repellent properties of turf in time,’ he explains. He also advises against cutting back perennials before it rains, and says you should leave spent vegetable plants alone too in order to help protect the soil and wildlife. Do you have a story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@metro.co.uk Deals of the Day Parents can save up to 30% on Kickers school shoes ahead of the new term The back-to-school hack that's helping parents avoid queues and sold-out sizes Could your hair be wavy rather than straight? This brand thinks so Could your star sign improve your skincare routine? This new beauty launch thinks so Best skincare for menopausal skin? This dermatologist-created treatment is tailored to you Arrow MORE: Faulty fans recalled over fire risk with people told to stop using them ‘immediately’ Arrow MORE: London bus drivers are going on strike over ‘completely unacceptable’ heatwave conditions Arrow MORE: The best men’s layering shirts to upgrade your summer wardrobe The Key Sign up for must-read property stories, DIY hacks and tips for buying a home.