The drought continues. We are doing our best to keep things alive in both the garden and on the allotment, but our efforts can only go so far. With so little rain and days of relentless sunshine, the soil dries out almost as quickly as we water it. Tap water keeps plants going, but it’s no substitute for a good soaking from nature.
Last week also brought evidence of an unexpected visitor to the allotment—one that could present yet another challenge in an already difficult growing season.
The effects of the prolonged dry weather are becoming increasingly obvious beyond our own plot. Grass has disappeared from many places altogether. Allotment paths have turned to straw, and on our regular walks with Ruby, areas that would normally be lush and green are now yellow, brittle and parched. The only patches of green left at ground level are those sheltered by shade.
As the week progressed, temperatures eased a little, allowing us to swap early morning walks for a day out to Studley Royal and Fountains Abbey. Unfortunately, the day didn’t quite go to plan.
Home and Garden
We are just about managing to keep the new borders alive, and one of the newly planted clematis is now in flower.
The patio tubs continue to provide plenty of colour despite the heat.
Mini cucumbers are now coming thick and fast, making up for some of the disappointments elsewhere.
Our trail camera also captured another visit from the fox. Perhaps it comes into the garden far more often than we realise.
At the Allotment
Last week followed a now familiar routine of watering, weeding, harvesting and lifting another disappointing potato crop.
This time Martyn dug up two of our trial varieties—Jacky and Harry. Both produced mainly small tubers, but there was one significant difference. Around a third of Harry’s potatoes showed the small holes typically caused by wireworms, whereas Jacky emerged virtually unscathed.
As both varieties were planted at the same time, close together in the same bed, it suggests that Harry may simply be more susceptible.
Apparently, several factors influence how attractive different potato varieties are to wireworms. These include the chemicals released by the roots and developing tubers, which vary between varieties, along with skin characteristics while the tubers are forming. Some varieties simply seem more appealing than others.
Whatever the reason, Harry has now been crossed off our list. Has anyone else grown Harry, and if so, what was your experience?
I’ve finally admitted defeat with the sweet peas. Their stems are virtually non-existent, and it seems many gardeners have had similar problems this year.
Thankfully, the courgettes are now in full production after receiving gallons of water over recent weeks.
The wind may have flattened the cardoons, but the bees don’t seem to mind. They are still busy browsing the flowers and, with the plants now near the ground, we have an even better view of all the activity.
One unexpected discovery on the plot was several piles of roe deer droppings. I’d occasionally heard reports of deer in the area, but I never imagined they would venture onto the allotment site itself. Since finding the evidence, I’ve been told they have indeed been seen there.
A railway line runs alongside the site, and I’ve since learned that deer often use railway embankments as wildlife corridors. With high walls and fencing on two sides, my guess is they’ve found a gap in one of the boundary hedges.
Earlier in the season we noticed some of our pea plants had been nibbled and assumed wood pigeons were the culprits. We covered the peas with netting, but now we’re wondering if we’d blamed the wrong offender. Peas and brassicas are apparently among a deer’s favourite foods. Fortunately, all our brassicas are protected under Enviromesh, and we’ve now netted more of the peas as well.
I love seeing wildlife, and I’d be delighted to know deer are living nearby. I’d just prefer they didn’t venture onto the allotment. Perhaps the prolonged dry weather is forcing more animals to search further afield for food and water. My sister, for example, has an army of hedgehogs visiting her garden every night this year.
Out and About
Fountains Abbey
By Thursday the temperature had dropped enough for us to safely take Ruby out for the day.
Our plan was to visit Beningbrough first before continuing on to Fountains Abbey. Unfortunately, as we approached Beningbrough we were greeted by the all too familiar road closure. We followed the diversion signs until they simply… stopped. To make matters worse, the satnav insisted on directing us back to the closed road.
Rather than spend the morning driving round in circles, we abandoned Plan A and headed straight to Fountains Abbey instead.
The contrast with previous visits was striking. Last time the sluices in the water gardens were open to control high water levels.
This time there was barely enough water to flow over the weirs, which had been reduced to little more than a trickle. The lakes were so low that the swans were standing on the lake bed while preening.
The lawns in the water gardens remained impressively green, so I suspect they are being watered.
We also noticed information about plans to improve the entrance at the deer park end, with work due to begin this autumn on a new visitor centre and café.
On the way back we wandered through the abbey ruins, where I made what could only be described as a rather dramatic entrance by missing a step and ending up in an undignified heap on the stone floor.
Thankfully, I escaped with nothing worse than a skinned knee, although my trousers weren’t so fortunate and will have to be written off. On the bright side, they probably saved my knee from much worse.
Finally
Gardening has a habit of keeping us grounded.
We never quite have everything under control. The weather, wildlife and even an enjoyable day out can all throw up unexpected challenges.
Looking back over the week, though, I’m choosing to wear my positive glasses. We have some welcome harvests to enjoy, the garden is still hanging on despite the drought and, perhaps most importantly, I’m still in one piece.
Now, if someone could arrange a nice, steady overnight rainfall, both the plants and I would breathe a great big sigh of relief.
As always until next time stay safe and stay well.
