Britain's record-breaking heatwaves and subsequent hosepipe bans are affecting gardens across the country, including those belonging to well-known gardening television personalities.
Alan Titchmarsh, Charlie Dimmock, and Tommy Walsh, who rose to fame on the BBC show "Ground Force," are experiencing similar effects to many homeowners, with parched yellow and brown grass visible on their properties despite the presence of lush green trees. Titchmarsh resides in Farnham, Surrey; Dimmock in Romsey, Hampshire; and Walsh in Hackney, east London. All three areas are currently subject to hosepipe bans.
The drought conditions have impacted gardens across much of the United Kingdom, particularly in the south of England. Wessex Water recently implemented its first hosepipe ban since the 1976 heatwave, affecting 1.4 million customers in areas including Bath, Somerset, Dorset, and Wiltshire. More than 27 million people in England are now under hosepipe restrictions.
While many gardens show signs of the dry spell, some celebrities have managed to maintain greener lawns. Broadcaster Monty Don's two-acre garden estate, Longmeadow in Herefordshire, has remained healthy. The region where Don's property is located is not currently under a hosepipe ban. Similarly, Sir Rod Stewart and his wife Penny Lancaster's Essex home has maintained lush grounds, and grass outside Jeremy Clarkson's pub in the Cotswolds has also appeared notably green.
Clarkson has suggested that properties with boreholes, which draw water from underground sources, can circumvent hosepipe bans. Jamie Oliver's lawns are reportedly greener due to a large private lake on his property, from which he draws water. Water taken from private sources such as lakes, ponds, springs, or wells is exempt from hosepipe bans.
In contrast, Sir Paul McCartney's East Sussex estate shows signs of the heatwave, with swathes of yellow and brown grass, despite a green herb garden. Keith Richards' West Sussex home also features dry grass, lacking a visible private water source to mitigate the drought's effects.
The driest July on record was recorded in England and Wales, with southern England experiencing its driest month in nearly 200 years. Despite some recent rainfall, which has led to flood warnings in some areas, further dry conditions are anticipated for the coming months.
A Thames Water executive warned that its hosepipe ban, affecting 10.1 million people, could remain in place until the end of the year to protect the environment. The company noted a significant increase in water usage during heatwaves, with customers using up to 50% more water when temperatures exceed 30 degrees Celsius. Thames Water is currently facing financial difficulties, with creditors seeking a bailout deal.