How do you garden for drought and a changing climate?

By changing the soil, the planting and the watering habits rather than by watering more — because the reliable response to hotter, drier summers and wetter, milder winters is to build resilience rather than to compensate.

Soil is the first and largest lever. Organic matter dramatically increases water-holding capacity — well-rotted compost, leaf mould and mulch. A soil rich in organic matter both drains better in winter and holds water better in summer, which sounds contradictory and is not: structure improves both directions.

Mulch, applied thickly to moist soil, reduces evaporation substantially, suppresses weeds competing for water, and moderates soil temperature. It is the highest-return single action available.

Watering habits that actually matter:

Water deeply and infrequently, encouraging roots to go down. Frequent light watering produces shallow roots that fail the moment you stop.

Water the soil, not the leaves, and at the base.

Water early, reducing evaporation loss.

Target established plants only in real need — most established shrubs and trees do not require watering, and watering them produces dependence.

Plant choice, which does most of the work:

Mediterranean and prairie plants — lavender, rosemary, sedum, salvia, echinacea, achillea, ornamental grasses — tolerate drought once established.

Look at leaves for the clues: silver, hairy, waxy, narrow or succulent foliage all indicate drought adaptation.

Right plant, right place, which matters more than any treatment.

Plant in autumn so roots establish over winter, which is the single most effective timing change.

Deep-rooted perennials over thirsty annuals and bedding.

The wetter-winter half, which is frequently ignored: improve drainage, raise beds on heavy soil, choose plants tolerant of winter wet — many drought-tolerant Mediterranean plants are killed by winter wet rather than by cold, which is the most common reason lavender and rosemary die.

Capture water: water butts on every downpipe, and directing runoff into planted areas rather than drains.

Shade and shelter from trees reduce water demand for everything beneath.