No Rain, Heatwave, Dry Taps: Can your Garden Cope? Ten tips to keep it alive and green through El Niño

Dry taps, heatwaves and no rain: can your garden cope?
Ten tips to keep it alive and green through El Niño.

15 OCTOBER 2026, JOHANNESBURG: Worried about keeping your garden looking lush and lively during El Niño? Don’t be. A few simple steps are all it takes to make sure it stays beautiful and full of life. With Garden Day on Sunday, 18 October, now’s the perfect time to get your garden summer-ready.

Craig De Necker of the garden design and landscape installation company, The Friendly Plant, says that summer can be a difficult time for garden enthusiasts. Throw in unpredictable water cuts, a particularly dry, hot season and the rising cost of water, and it’s easy to see why they’re worried about gardens that are gasping. For those going way over the holidays, the worry doubles.

Here are his tips for keeping your garden looking its best:

Be water-wise

1. Consider replacing thirsty plants with succulents; making sure your garden is water-wise.
2. Although they need very little maintenance, the correct watering method can make a drastic difference to the health of succulents. De Necker recommends a drip irrigation system, which delivers water deep into the soil where it reaches the roots more easily. This matters because this is the part of the plant which is able to absorb water. Watering more deeply actually cuts down on the frequency of irrigation, because it helps absorption; plus, the water will evaporate at a far lower rate than with sprays.
3. Water early or late. Johannesburg Water is asking residents to water gardens only before 6am or after 6pm. Less water is lost to evaporation, and your plants get more of every drop.

Water smarter

4. Make sure to adjust your watering technique for sensitive plants, like bonsais or orchids, which need a lot of care.
5. Look out for signs of underwatering, where leaves become dry and brittle.
6. Be careful of overwatering. Look out for drooping leaves. Avoid this by testing the condition of the soil often: although it should not feel dry, it shouldn’t feel muddy, either.
7. Take time to check your irrigation system is working, looking out for any breaks or blockages. If possible, invest in a Wi-Fi-controlled system, so that you can adjust the settings according to the day’s weather, even if you’re nowhere near home. For example, if you know there’s a heatwave coming, run the system for a little while longer; if storms are predicted, you can put the system on hold to prevent overwatering.

Heading away?

8. Use dead leaves or bark chips as mulch. This will insulate the soil while also helping it retain water while you’re away.
9. To keep potted plants looking good while you’re away, give them a thorough soaking before you leave.
10. It’s also wise to check the placement of your potted plants. Pots are often positioned in a way that means they don’t get the full benefit of rain, especially if they are under a roof or against a wall.

Stock up for a dry summer at the Houghton Bonsai, Succulent & Plant Show

One of South Africa’s biggest plant shows, the award-winning annual Houghton Bonsai, Succulent & Plant Show, returns to Killarney Mall from 30 October to 1 November 2026.

With over 60 exhibitors and vendors, it’s the perfect place to stock up on the water-wise succulents your garden needs this summer, and to browse rare plants, orchids and bonsais from specialist growers. For the first time, the Witwatersrand Orchid Society joins the show this year, with live orchid potting demonstrations daily at 11h00 and 14h00. Bonsai lovers can also bring a struggling tree to the free Bonsai Hospital for a diagnosis and advice.

Kids will be kept busy at the free Kids’ Zone on Saturday and Sunday, making it a great day out for families, collectors, first-time plant parents and seasoned green fingers. Entrance is free.