Germany’s Soils Are Drying Out Fast — And the Spring Drought Is Just Beginning

Drought Threatens Gardens and Landscapes Despite Deep Soil Moisture

Across Germany, unusually dry weather is turning into a growing concern. Weeks without rain have caused the upper layers of soil to dry out significantly — posing serious challenges not only to agriculture but also to private gardens. The early part of 2025 has already seen some of the lowest precipitation levels in recent memory, and despite past years of wetter seasons, the effects of the current drought are now clearly visible.

In regions such as Hamburg, Bremen, and Schleswig-Holstein, rainfall levels are currently up to 138 liters per square meter below the seasonal norm. Experts say that while water from previous wet periods remains in deeper soil layers, it is now inaccessible to plants with shallow roots, particularly newly planted flowers, young trees, and emerging lawns.

The Numbers Reveal a Stark Rainfall Deficit

Data collected until April 9, 2025, shows drastic rainfall shortages across the country. Hamburg leads with a deficit of 138.2 liters per square meter, followed by Schleswig-Holstein and Lower Saxony with similar shortfalls. Even in states such as Bavaria, which received the most rain this March, precipitation reached just over half of the usual amount.

If translated into volume, Hamburg’s missing rainfall equals approximately 104 million cubic meters — enough to fill 40 Cheops pyramids. Nationwide, the cumulative deficit could exceed the volume of 13,500 of these ancient structures, underscoring the scale of the water shortage.

Despite appearances, experts from the German Weather Service (DWD) caution against panic. Much of the rainfall from the wet year 2023 has infiltrated deeper soil levels and is still present. But for most plants and garden systems, this water remains out of reach. The current lack of rainfall mainly affects the top 10 to 30 centimeters of soil — the zone where most garden and agricultural activity happens during spring.

How Gardeners Can Help Protect Their Plants

For households with gardens, the situation is becoming increasingly urgent. As plants begin their growth cycles, they require consistent moisture to establish healthy roots. In this period of low rainfall and strong sunlight, evaporation is high, leaving even more pressure on gardeners to take action.

Hobby gardeners are advised to adjust their watering strategies carefully. Watering early in the morning or late in the evening helps reduce loss through evaporation. Instead of frequent shallow watering, it’s more effective to irrigate deeply but less often, ensuring moisture reaches the lower root zones. Water should be applied near the base of plants to support efficient uptake.

Spring Drought Comes Earlier Than Expected

While January still saw relatively average rainfall in many areas, conditions changed drastically by February. Persistent high-pressure systems led to a sharp drop in precipitation. In cities like Berlin and Cologne, some areas recorded as much as 90% less rain than usual.

The dryness went largely unnoticed at first because cooler temperatures and low plant activity kept evaporation rates low. But as temperatures rose in late March and into April, the remaining surface moisture began disappearing rapidly.

Meteorologists predict that rainfall later in April may bring temporary relief, but it will likely be insufficient to restore balance. Short, heavy rains do little to penetrate deep into the soil and often run off, especially if the topsoil is too dry to absorb water quickly.

A truly effective recovery would require sustained rainfall over several weeks in May and June. Forecasts suggest the possibility of higher-than-average precipitation in May, raising hopes that conditions might stabilize. However, experts remain cautious, warning that dry spells in July and August could easily reverse any short-term gains.

Why Long-Term Soil Moisture May Not Save Spring Growth

The DWD stresses that while groundwater levels and deep soil moisture remain relatively stable, this offers little help for plants that rely on upper soil layers for nutrients and hydration. Spring droughts hit particularly hard because many plants are in early development and cannot yet reach deeper water reserves.

The visual indicators of dryness — cracked soil, wilting plants, and low river levels — are not just seasonal anomalies. They are real threats to both private and public green spaces. Drought indicators often trigger early in the year because of seasonal expectations, but this does not mean the concerns are exaggerated.

Instead, it points to a growing imbalance between weather patterns and what ecosystems are conditioned to expect at this time of year. Without change in rainfall trends or widespread adaptation in how water is managed, these spring droughts could become a permanent feature of the climate landscape in Germany.