Weather Forecasts

[mightymouse]

I have a large, high-maintenance garden (featured on tv and in magazines a few times.), and I have never worked so hard as this year....age not helping.

But twice in the last 2 weeks, severe weather warnings for heavy rain were issued......nothing happened!!! Again today! We have not had any significant rain for over 6 weeks, I am sick and tired of watering, which is now causing me elbow pain.

And don't talk to me about the strong winds most of last week!

As for slugs, snails, squirrels, aphids, spider mite.......what is wrong this year?

I grow many very rare plants which need special attention.....ok, my choice, but this year is the pits, so far. Have a group of 25 visiting in August, already panicking about this.

Any other gardeners fancy joining my little rant???

[Peaspeculiars]

Hmm, where's Slapshot when you need him - he'll be able to explain a bit about the weather going on...

Shame that you aren't enjoying your gardening year so far mightymouse, but do you get any time at all to sit and relax and watch things grow? It must be a lovely garden, would you want to share a bit of the responsibility involved by asking a local horticultural college to help out and share the workload whilst you pass on your knowledge to them perhaps?
If not, then I do hope the weather works more in your favour from now on :-)

[gness]

I will join you, MM!
I'm year four into the complete makeover of what was classed as a garden... just a square of tatty grass really.....

It slopes and faces south so I have worked my socks off to make it interesting, quirky and as shady as possible......
I've dug myself silly improving the clay that was under the grass and this was the year the plants should have thanked me....

But this year is a nightmare so far.....the winds as much as anything. My water barrels are empty so I'm using the hose....bet the water meter is whizzing around...
And as for aphids and spider mites!!!! Ruined a honeysuckle while I was on holiday...

But I will get there.....like all gardeners I'm saying....Well, next year will be... THE YEAR!!!!

If you ever feel like posting a pic or two of what sounds like a really lovely garden I'd love to see them....Gx

[Peaspeculiars]

Oh, sorry mightymouse, to add to Gness's reply, I shall also put in my tuppenceworth with the following:

Bloomin Slugs!!!!!!! WHY??!!!!! WHY?!!!!! Leave my Hosta's ALONE!!!!!

There, feels better now :-)

[gness]

I adore Hostas, Peas....so does every snail in town....I go out with a torch and plastic bag....gather them up and take them for a holiday...x

[Rtaxron]

Cant you use a hosepipe, or a sprinkler to ease your elbow?

[woofgang]

For weather forecasting I use Accuweather backed up by the live lightning site. Much better than the Beeb!
http://www.accuweather.com/en/gb/dibden/so45-5/minute-weather-forecast/714990

http://www.lightningmaps.org/realtime

[murraymints]

peas ..you need to water in nematodes..!

[Peaspeculiars]

^^ Minty, don't they escape? Do they eat kitchen scraps? ;-)

[mightymouse]

I use a hosepipe regularly, and watering cans, as I can then control the amount of water I need to use. I do have a sprinkler, but this can break fragile stems. I specialise in very rare Salvias from Mexico and South America, many of which adapt to the Surrey climate. (www.robinssalvias.com)...not advertising here, my site is only informative.

Thanks to all who have responded.....still no rain tonight!

[gness]

Thanks, MM...and now it's raining....but just enough to tease the soil and dampen the down pipe......oh for a full rain barrel..... :-(

[mazie]

Wow...what a collection mightymouse. I had a huge collection of Brugmansia until the red spider mite wiped them out....I don't have the heart to start again. Good luck I hope things get better xx

[DaisyNonna]

Forecast rain was a couple of 2 minute showers
Big watering needed tomorrow
Strong winds have messed up all my good intentions

[jourdain2]

We've just got haar, cold and misty, and I didn't water because I was expecting rain. Diving out now and watering individual plants as well as the baskets and wall-ricks. Still finding out about this tiny, S. facing, plot (had 100 sq.m. until recently). It's a bad Summer to come to from mid-France!

I used to work with Saltaire Potters and made loads of wall-thingy's, which I am now planning to use and plant to get a 'quirky' garden. Some are quite small and I will be able to control them. I sympathise with your Hosta problem - I gave up in the end and stopped growing Hostas!

[murraymints]

peas..they are microscopic you can't see them ..they burrow into slugs and snails and wipe them out !

[murraymints]

gosh that is some collection MM ..wish I was closer !

[tonyav]

Raining here, trying to send it down to Daisy.

[DaisyNonna]

Thanks Tony.
Should I nip down to the garden and do a rain dance?

[tonyav]

It might help, Daisy. Put your dressing gown on though.

[gness]

Wow that is impressive, MM....I adore the Heatwave Glimmer!

[DaisyNonna]

The slinky blue satin one? Too chilly for that and the warm red towelling one is in the washing machine.