The unrelenting hot, sunny weather, coupled with the dearth of rain, means that it is going to be hard to plant out the remaining squash and sweetcorn.
I’ve managed to clear the ground needed
by pouring the contents of the washing up bowl on the patch and then digging out the garlic, stray Jerusalem artichokes, nettles and miscellaneous weeds. The latest bokashi bin is ready as well, so roll on about nine tonight when it has cooled down to 19 degrees C, so that the heavy work can commence.
The dryness is no doubt the reason why the strawberries have been smaller this year, but I’ve been good about watering the sweetcorn, which are already starting to produce fruit. Likewise, the tomatoes must be loving it.
Growing out of chaos 
We haven’t had any rain for a month though we have had some very cool nights which have produced mist and dew. The ground is like concrete here too!
I did feel a slight dampness in the air last night, but it’s not the same as rain, is it?
No. It makes hardly any difference except many of the leaves now have scorch marks!
Oh dear!
😦
Thank you Helen for sharing i think we all in the same boat all needing rain good tip about washing up water might start pouring mind into my water butt to slowly fill it up blessings to you
I think it’s better to put the water directly into the soil and preferably on something you aren’t going to eat (e.g. lawn or trees). It’s grey water and the detergent might lead to stuff growing in your water butt that you don’t want. In any case, grey water should be used within 24 hours, because of the bacteria.
I hope you can make dents in the concrete soon
Thank you, Derrick 😊
It’s tough isn’t it when tomatoes and sweetcorn enjoy the warm weather but then you have a rain shortage? It’s a bit cooler here in Scotland but warmer than usual and we did have some rain a couple of weeks ago but getting the balance right is tricky
I’m glad you’ve got somewhat better conditions, Jackie. Overall, I’m pleased to have some summer, even if the soil is not bearing up too well!
yes – some summer is good!
😊