This is the secret potting ingredient I use to water my plants less – and it keeps slugs at bay, too

Plants in terracotta pots outside wooden shed in garden.

If there’s one potting ingredient I swear by, it’s an unlikely one: sheep’s wool.

My potted plants have thrived every year since I discovered it for gardening, and it’s all thanks to its water-retaining benefits. Even in peat-free composts, which tend to dry out quicker, I’ve found I can water my plants less than I usually would – and that’s especially handy in hot summers like this one.