Hello gardeners!

Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about water — how much falls in November on the west coast of Canada, how little we sometimes have in the summer, and how unpredictable climate change is making moisture now. I’ll be honest: irrigation has been something I have taken for granted in the garden. But the more I dig into climate-resilient gardening, the clearer it becomes that as eco-conscious gardeners we cannot ignore how we collect and use water if we want our gardens to flourish. I have this on my research list; I’m learning about sustainable garden irrigation — and taking you with me.

Soil and moisture retention: the best support system for flourishing, climate adaptive plants

It always starts with the soil, doesn't it? Healthy, open, organic-rich soil acts like a sponge, holding onto many times more water than compacted beds. I’ve always mulched to support the nutrient requirements of the garden, but current research really reinforces its role in keeping soil cool and slowing evaporation. In other words: the more life happening underground, the less water we need to add above. Then when we add on other strong regenerative gardening practices like mulching and layering plants for shade purposes, we start to see how moisture retention in the soil acts as a key support system for plants dealing with environmental stressors like heat and smoke.

Rainwater Harvesting: A Simple Start for Any Garden

When it comes to rainwater harvesting, I knew rain barrels were a good idea and I liked the idea of collecting water from downspouts, but it was one of those things I never got around to doing, and truthfully, I never saw a design that I liked the aesthetics of. A single rain barrel or a modest above-ground tank can capture surprising amounts of roof runoff. In larger gardens, buried cisterns, ponds, or swales can store even more. Reviews show that harvesting and re-distributing rainwater is one of the simplest ways to reduce dependency on water supplied by local government and manage stormwater. Heavy rainfalls tax stormwater drains. If we can provide means within the garden to slow the water flowing across our gardens, and allow the water to percolate down, we are making a difference in our community.

Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS): New Ideas We Can Use at Home

I’ve also been exploring Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS), which are becoming standard practice in the UK. Designers are leaning into swales, permeable surfaces, rain gardens, and even decorative above-ground tanks that turn stormwater from a problem into a resource. Seeing these ideas applied so practically — in home gardens, at shows, and in public landscapes — makes me realize we can borrow these strategies at any scale. Even a small rain garden or planted depression can hold a surprising volume of water while feeding pollinators, birds and other garden visitors. I have a soggy patch of lawn that I have been considering building a rainwater garden or a rock stream.

Smarter Irrigation Practices for Sustainable Gardens

For those of us with built-in irrigation systems, I’ve learned that the key isn’t adding more tech — it’s improving what we already have. Drip and micro-irrigation consistently outperform sprinklers for efficiency and plant health. Horticulture programs emphasize system uniformity and better scheduling as the biggest wins: water less often but more deeply, and only when the root zone actually needs it. So often, we set the schedule in May based on guidelines from local government on water restrictions and forget about it. This past year I have noticed that even when watering within the guidelines, I suspect I was using too much water.

For existing systems, I’m now convinced everyone should do a simple irrigation audit at least once a year: check for leaks, clogged emitters, uneven pressure, or runoff. Many landscapes waste 20–40% of their water through tiny, invisible problems. Seems wasteful to see water running down residential streets after irrigation systems have been in use. Research suggests that small upgrades like weather-based controllers, converting high-water zones to drip, or adding a flow meter can make a huge difference without a huge cost. Back to the observation point, too, keep an eye on the garden after the irrigation has run through the zones — how long are areas staying wet? This past summer I had an area near a path that was holding water for days. I thought for sure there was a leak in a pipe. Turns out the soil in that area had become quite compacted, impeding drainage, plus a dense grass had been removed from the spot a year previous, and now the plants around were just not needing that much water.

Plant Selection and Grouping as a Smart Water-wise Gardening Practice

Another area I’m rethinking is plant selection and grouping. Matching plants to the natural wet-and-dry rhythm of the climate and how my garden manages wetter spots — and grouping them by water needs. I used to think about colour and texture as priorities, but I am broadening my plant selection requirements to include water needs when grouping plants now. Deeper, more resilient root systems come from less frequent watering, not more. In previous blog posts I talk about learning to observe the plants in your garden. Crazy weather patterns are making this more important than ever. Watch how your garden is receiving moisture and holding on to it. You may need to move plants around or add more to help manage wetter spots in the garden. To ensure your garden is resilient to extreme weather patterns, the plant itself must be healthy, and not battling the added stress of too much water.

New Gardening Methods for a More Climate-Resilient Garden

I’m still in the learning phase when it comes to sustainable irrigation practices, but I’m excited. Every small shift in adapting regenerative gardening practices now, helps build a more resilient garden next season regardless of what Mother Nature throws at us — and I’m committed to growing into this right alongside you.