The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has unveiled a series of emergency measures designed to protect its cherished gardens from the escalating threat of water shortages. This decisive action comes in response to the severe droughts experienced last year and the increasingly unpredictable weather patterns attributed to climate change.
Strategic Investments for Water Security
Throughout 2026, the environmental charity will prioritise significant investment in water capture and management projects. This strategic shift aims to bolster resilience across its five prominent English gardens, ensuring their survival and beauty for future generations.
Key Projects for the Coming Year
The planned initiatives for 2026 are comprehensive and forward-thinking. They include increasing water storage capacity through the expansion of tanks and lakes, installing innovative ebb and flow benches to optimise irrigation, and investing in rain garden installations that naturally manage stormwater.
These projects represent a tangible commitment to adapting horticultural practices in the face of environmental challenges.
A Call to Action for Home Gardeners
Beyond its own estates, the RHS is actively encouraging home gardeners across the UK to adopt similar preparatory measures during the winter and spring months. The society advocates for practical steps such as improving soil preparation techniques to enhance water retention and maximising rainwater capture through the use of butts and other systems.
This guidance is intended to empower individuals to contribute to broader water conservation efforts.
A Broader Shift in Climate Strategy
This initiative signifies a notable evolution in the RHS's approach to climate change. While mitigation of emissions remains important, there is now a pronounced focus on adaptation to the growing and inevitable impacts of a changing climate. The organisation is framing this as adapting to the new normal, acknowledging that proactive measures are essential for safeguarding horticultural heritage.
The move underscores a wider recognition within environmental and cultural institutions that resilience planning is no longer optional but a critical necessity.
