Do I live in a micro climate?

Hello

I don't know if I'm being a worry wort but I'm seriously concerned about the lack of rainfall we have had in the Merseyside area. We have had 3 bouts of rain in 3 months. My water butt is dry and I'm now watering for 2-3 hours a day to keep my plants alive and I don't even have that many!!! I noticed this morning a Thyme was dying, and they are supposed to survive dry conditions. If I wasn't on a water meter I would be less worried but as it is, there isn't any decent rainfall forecast in the next 10 days. If we have a hose pipe ban I have no idea how I'll keep my garden alive

 

Funnily enough,I was complaining about the lack of rain to someone only today. It's been really cool and cloudy here but no rain.

 

We've not seen rain for a while here either. Make the most of it because we'll be under water again by next month.

The thyme that's struggling, was it just planted out this year? Once they've got their roots down they'll go all summer without rain if they have to, but in their first year they'll need a bit of watering from time to time.

 

Tell me about it! I've got alot of pots and raised beds and the soil has been bone dry. I bought a Ribes not long ago which is in a raised bed now and it's not looking too good. I gave it a good soak this morning and it's perked up a bit. I'm just going to have to water everything more often. I'm not on a water meter but my dad is and he's having similar worries - his lawn looks really parched and his water butt is also dry. Hopefully the weather forecasters are wrong and it will chuck it down sooner rather than later.

 

Pretty dry over this way for far too long, looking good for the next few days though:

http://www.wunderground.com/cgi-bin/findweather/hdfForecast?query=hu16+5ax

 

Yvonne, I'm just over the pond from you and we've had very little rain in the last six weeks, however that is all set to change tomorrow and it will rain until the weekend at least.

 

Thanks clueless, it looks like I have added difficulty in that all my plants are freshly planted in the last six weeks. I never thought I would say this but I wish we could have a good downpour!

 

Well worry not! Its going to become cool and wet and time progresses.

My plants are actually enjoying this dry spell, Cistus, Bottlebrush and Convolvulus cneorum are definitely enjoying the arid conditions.

But it will end in the next few days, back to our more normal weather.

We do live in a microclimate in this part of the world though, averaging about 200mm (20%) less rainfall a year on average than others parts of the NW of England, and it's even drier here than it is there, thanks to North Wales.

 

In Manchester (where it's supposed to rain all the time) we haven't much in the way of a decent downpour for months, just the odd shower with one day where it rained hard. Apparently we're going to have showers over the next few days and I'm hoping some of them will be heavy enough to give the plants a decent drench

In addition to all the stuff in my front and back borders, I've got over 60 (mainly large) planters to water

 

Mother Nature must read this forum because she sent me some rain this morning and there is more forecast Grow little seeds, grow!

 

the weathers has been magnificent here lately, absolutely scorching! with very little rain here too we've been having to get the hose out most evenings to give the garden a good soaking...i hate that bloody hose though as i always somehow manage to soak myself too& then to have to roll the damned thing up with all the bits of soggy muck/compost/leaves stuck to it (which inevitably then stick to me (cos i too am now soggy ) i'd much prefer to just do 7000, 500 trips with the watering can tbh

anyhoo it rained today so screw you hose, your not needed for now

 

I feel sorry for farmers, how on earth do plan your crops around this feast or famine weather?!