Trying to beat the drought without using water...

We had rain all day in Glasgow yesterday. It still wasn't enough after two months of dry weather. I love the sunny weather but I hate marching around with the watering can every day.

M'land someone on one of the FB gardening groups suggested a naked rain dance might work, I told her that if I tried that at my age I'd frighten the rain away for evermore, lol..I even have hubby and daughter being good and not letting the water go down the sink, now that is progress...

Linda it has even been too hot in my shady area's, when we do get a breeze its warm air, we aren't used to it are we, Kath who used to be on here (Scotcat) said it had been raining up there, and my brother who lives near Scarborough had a full days worth last week, I asked nicely for them to blow some our way, think it got lost somewhere on route.

Wow Lincs,. I put some annual pinks in this Spring and they've been looking very despondent in spite of occasional watering but to day they are really smiling! You've really worked hard at that and its looking good (We're not looking at the grass..) We had some really good rain this morning, which is wonderful and such a relief -I hope you'll soon have some rain too.

Your garden is looking good and the mulching is a good idea. Must get some of mine of the compost heap. I've been hoarding it to use on a new planned rockery (mixed with rubble and sub-soil) but that's not progressing very fast! Your stumpery is lovely, I have to hide anything interesting in the root or wood line from OH as he thinks they ought to go up on the bonfire. Well done you for all that grey water carrying it's obviously working.

Well done Sue, I'm envious as I no longer have my 'Dalek' style compost bins which used to hold a lot. You've done a good job mulching. Like you, I am fed up with the heat now and only sit in the shade early or late in the day ...

I must admit I am still using my hosepipe on my front garden as it is all newly planted and cost a tidy sum! Saying that I'm only watering it once a day and hoping that will be enough. I'm getting fed up with the heat as well, and there is so much to do, but I can't do any of it in this heat. I also got rid of a lot of conifers last year, which left a lot of space. I'm a bit loathe to buy anything at the moment though as it would need more watering. Best to hold off until it gets a bit cooler.

Your garden is lovely, Lin, and looks good. As for all this jiggery pokery about naked rain dances, if I tried it there'd be a lot of jiggery and nothing else. Not a pretty sight! Still, we have the grey clouds, some of them quite dark, so perhaps, if we're very lucky.......

It has been HOT hasn't it :( I hope the much will help your plants.
You still have quite a few nice flowers.

You have put a huge amount of effort in to keep your plants as healthy and happy as is possible when every day is so dry and hot.
Your garden is a lovely one and has so much to admire.
The ferns really are hating it aren't they?
Suddenly I look out and something else is suffering!
Hydrangeas have been the latest.

Thankyou Stera, Shirley, Lisam, Abuthnot, Hywel, and W'rose, I have been out today and emptied my last bin, phew, jobs a goodun even if I do say so myself, that's all the beds replenished, although we still haven't had any rain, the plants have perked up a lot with the extra covering. I have also started planting my Asters out, with the good mulch and puddling in they have not wilted at all, nothing if not determined, that's me.....

Lincs you`ve done your garden proud its looking really good even with the odd brown patches on the lawns. Like you I`ve emptied one of our compost bins and mulched the bottom newly planted bed in an attempt to save some of the new plants but that is as far as I`ve got, being a redhead and an old one at that this weather does me in. Just keep praying for rain all of our four water butts are now dry.