Drought time in the east.What to do?

It’s not yet May and here in the east we are struggling with lack of rain
S o we are saving water by saving all spare from the kitchen,specially the drain off when waiting for the hot to come through.
Digging a hole by all special plants , so there is no run off when concentrating the water to the roots.
At the moment I have plants that will soon be ready to plant out ,with this intense heat forcast,
so I have an area of shade where I can place them to slow them down and stop hydration.
I am not complaining as I love the sun and warm weather………hate the cold.

 

Your plants are looking really good @roders !

 

It's not just the East, here in N. London is very dry and now hot too.

 

Same here - very little rainfall - high temps too at the moment and the winds don't exactly help either. Always nice to see the sun tho !

 

I'm in the east as well and it's bon dry and dusty everywhere. I see things already suffering.

I was surprised how dry it had been in the west. I believe Nigel mentioned there was very little rain in Devon, which is worrying because it's always wetter that side of the country.

 

Our garden here in Norfolk doesn't look dry as the plants are looking quite lush but I expect I will have to water soon when they start drooping. I watered a pulmonaria this morning as it is fairly newly planted and had gone droopy. I don't have much time at the moment as Daughter 2 and family from France are visiting this week.

 

I found last time we had a drought, that the best way to water containers is to fill something bigger than the pots with water ( and fertiliser if you like) and dip your container in the water until the bubbles stop. This saves the wastage you get with a hose or watering can.

 

Works with small containers, most of mine I can't lift mine, but have some times actually used saucers under them outside, of course you need to keep an eye on them during downpours.

 

A lot less rain than last year, not too bad at the moment though and the sunshine is glorious.

 

We had virtually no rain at all during March and have had maybe half the average for April

 

The only countable rain we had in the last 2 months were 4mm/sqm 2 weeks ago. This was at a time when everyone to the left and right got the rain.
I had to water the roots of all plants yesterday.
There is no change in weather to expect in the next 2 weeks. That bloody High above us stays and stays and if it moves a bit, it returns immediately.
Typical combination where the South is having it wet and we get their dry weather.
As result of the last drought in 2022, I changed to plants which don’t need much water. Just 2 pots which don’t need regular watering.

 

@BB3 my containers are too big and heavy to lift. I dunk the watering can into the biggest waterbutts, quicker than turning on the tap. Will soon have to use the hose.

 

Getting a good tan though.
Used to have to go to Greece ,beats all that hassle at the airports.....No Tariffs.
Looking on the bright side.
You never know what's around the corner.

 

Our neighbours have been in Greece for three months and it has been incredibly wet there, they lived in Greece for a couple of decades before moving here. They couldn't believe we had such dry conditions.

I hate dry conditions. I'm looking after a couple of other allotments at the moment because their owners are in hospital, plus their gardens, so I'm hoping for some wet weather soon.