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At the time of writing, temperatures are pushing the 30s, drought conditions have been announced and a hosepipe ban must surely follow. Unless you have been able to water regularly your garden probably looks like a post-apocalyptic wasteland. The ground is rock hard and if we do get a downpour it will run off and lead to flooding. Pleasant ideas of outdoor living run the risk of heat stroke, butane is going through the roof and BBQ buns are astronomical. If this continues into September we may well see standpipes in the street. Having said that come January and February we will look back with fond memories of a wonderful Summer.
Hopefully, you have been able to water the vegetable patch. The lawn will come back but the Runner Beans won’t. This weather, they need a good drenching every day along with all the veg. Despite that, the flowers are dropping and the yield has been poor so far. The Marrows have turned out to be Green Bush and I can only guess that they are from the Tiger Cross Marrows that were grown 2 years ago that are an F1 hybrid of Green Bush and have reverted back. Either way, it is good to have stuffed Marrow again. Hopefully, your main crop Potatoes are holding up and ready for lifting this month along with a lot of other crops which can be harvested now.
I really don’t know what to say about the lawn, it’s amazing how crispy it is underfoot as you walk over it. Now we are on a meter, I gave up watering it a month ago and now it is scorchio! Walking the Junkyard Mutt early yesterday morning I noticed a slight mist over the fields and the grass was slightly moist to the touch. Looking over the fields there was a faint green shimmer that hints at a recovery. However, this year, it is a lost cause and we will just have to wait for the Autumn rains to see how well it returns. Normal English meadow grasses cannot cope with this degree of heat and drought and maybe we have to consider tougher grasses. The most drought resistant grass seed are Zoysia, Bermuda, Kikuyu and Kentucky Blue Grass. It may need a trip to the seed merchant to look for a bespoke mix of seed that has a chance of handling these conditions.
Oh dear, it’s happened again!
Hopefully, you have been able to water the vegetable patch. The lawn will come back but the Runner Beans won’t. This weather, they need a good drenching every day along with all the veg. Despite that, the flowers are dropping and the yield has been poor so far. The Marrows have turned out to be Green Bush and I can only guess that they are from the Tiger Cross Marrows that were grown 2 years ago that are an F1 hybrid of Green Bush and have reverted back. Either way, it is good to have stuffed Marrow again. Hopefully, your main crop Potatoes are holding up and ready for lifting this month along with a lot of other crops which can be harvested now.
Borders and containers also need a lot of water to keep them going and you can use a hosepipe to fill a watering can which avoids running up and down the garden. Even established shrubs have needed watering this year as everything has looked a bit limp and leaves are shedding. A mulch around the roots of shrubs and fruit trees can help to retain moisture in the soil. Monty Don commented last week that maybe we need to start facing up to hotter Summers and look at more Mediterranean planting. Attractive hard landscaping can reduce the size of lawns and borders with a switch to perennials and shrubs that can handle drought.
Much of the fruit is ready for harvest. Plums, Cherries and Apricots have probably been picked by now with Apples and Pears ready this month. Some varieties like Braeburns run on into October. Keep watering, feeding and mulching up until harvest. Tidy up Strawberry plants and cut back Raspberry canes.
September is also the transition time from Summer to Autumn and it will be interesting to see what happens to temperatures. All this hot, dry weather is enough to give someone a thirst. As my mind wanders to Mediterranean gardens I can’t help thinking of ice cold Italian lagers. The big question is which one?.... Peroni Nastro Azzuro or Birra Moretti?…. I know I will go for both.
UHS is always looking for new members and tries to encourage a fun attitude towards friendly competition. So if you want to grow your own fruit, vegetables, and flowers or even enter any of the shows we hold each year, please get in touch. We would be happy to hear from you.
If you are interested in becoming a new member, (all ages are welcome), please contact Rosey on: 01634 377812 (evenings) or Email: rosemary@ringwoodaccounting.co.uk
Sean Barry - Upchurch Horticultural Society
