Choose
the right plants. Opt for native, perennial shrubs that are well-adapted to prolonged dry spells. Examples include milkweed, bellflowers, and asters. They cope well with drought stress while also providing food for insects. As a general rule: fewer seasonal plantings, more perennial beds. This saves water, reduces maintenance, and ensures a consistently attractive landscape.

Collecting
Rainwater Rainwater can be collected in rain barrels or cisterns and used strategically during dry periods. Cisterns are usually buried in the ground and can store large amounts of water. This not only helps your garden survive the dry summer, but also reduces your water bills and conserves the valuable resource of drinking water.

Create
Water Features A naturally designed pond stores water and serves as a watering hole and habitat for animals. At the same time, evaporation from water features and marsh plants helps cool the garden’s climate.

Water
Smartly Rarely but thoroughly watering encourages the development of deep roots, thereby increasing the plants’ drought resistance. Therefore, it’s better to water thoroughly every five to seven days than to water small amounts daily. The early morning hours are particularly suitable: less water evaporates then, and the dew-moistened soil absorbs the water well. By evening, when snails become active, the soil has dried out again. 

Automate
Watering If you have little time for garden maintenance or are traveling for an extended period, an irrigation system can reliably ensure your plants receive the water they need.

Strengthen
the Soil as a Water Reservoir: Soils rich in humus are particularly good at storing water. Promote humus buildup by using compost, green manure, and organic fertilizers. Avoid digging up the soil whenever possible; instead, loosen only the top layer of soil.

Protect
the Soil Mulch or a dense plant cover protects the soil from drying out and reduces evaporation. 

Work
with the Topography A gently undulating garden with hills and depressions protects against drying out caused by wind and against flooding. Rainwater seeps away more slowly and remains available to plants for longer. At the same time, this creates diverse habitats for animals and plants. 

Flower meadows instead of ornamental lawns
Flowering meadows with native wildflowers and grasses tolerate dry spells much better than intensively maintained lawns. They require less maintenance, promote biodiversity, and provide food for numerous insects.

If you don’t want to give up your lawn, you can make a big difference with the right care: A lawn mowed longer shades the ground, so it heats up less and less water evaporates. This helps the lawn stay resilient longer, even in hot weather. Experts recommend a cutting height of about eight centimeters.