Drought Already ?

Got back to the home plot only to find most of the spring cabbages, sorrel and kale bolting.:gaagh:

The soil is cracked and dry. Have just spent the past hour giving it a good soak with the hose.

I know the lack of rain is probably not the only factor here, i'm sure a prolonged minus 15c has probably scared the hell out of the plants too.

The question now is do I let the plants carry on & freeze a load of cabbage/kale broccoli or do I cut all the decent size leaves & freeze that as a good bit of cabbage.

I was thinking if I cut it all back and score the cut stems, at least I would have a new growth of spring greens.

Its looking like only one or two cabbages might heart up:DOH:

 

We look like have light rain moving in Tues Pm for a few days .Very dry in Northants so will be good ...OH has loads of jobs waiting for rainy days ...
My cabbage are similar to yours Ziggy .
Dave

 

Blimey, I hope you lot dont get a dry summer.

A few weeks without the constant dampness of winter and that dreaded word "drought" rears its ugly head.
I think the cold, minus 15, now that is stupid weather,or the recent mild spell is more likely the cause Ziggy.

 

Think you are right Pete. All the plants have been shocked.

Have cut the Rhubarb flower off & put it in a vase indoors for the Mrs to get annoyed about.

I'll take Armandii & Daveys advice about freezing the best of the crop.

Its a pity because its all looking so verdant and I was looking forward to a few good hearted cabbages.

Still, a big spring soup is better than no soup at all.

Despite the weather, my sandwiches for tommorow contain mizuma and sorrel (that survived the snow) Choppers lettuce & welsh spring onions

 

It's very dry here too Ziggy, after all that snow and bloomin awfull winter.
My shallots look quite drought stricken and I had to water them today.

 

In this garden i've been using the hose for a couple of weeks now.
Hillside + south westerlies + poor soil = a very dry garden :gaagh:

I do improve the soil in certain areas but leave it in other places - it depends what i want to grow where, although ...... you are all referring to produce and my gardens are all ornamental but it's the same effects.

 

Yep......Bone dry hear also,water butts empty.....rain forecast for Wednesday........Not realy complaining just an observation.
I never thought we would have a dy spell again

 

Its been dry here for around a week now and had to take the watering can for a walk around the garden yesterday, just for a few pots and baskets though.

I'm glad of the dry weather at the allotment though, the bottom of my plot gets flooded and turns into a mudbath...drier weather allows for easier digging which I have loads to do still.

Steve...

 

I did notice the lack of slugs around. It've given my emerging perennials the chance to put on some growth without getting nibbled too much.

Rain is due from Wednesday. Sigh - that'll be the garden turned back into a bog within a day.

 

Thinking back to 76 when nobody tried to categorise such things, no global warming or climate change.

Narr, just a few dry weeks that we should make the most of and get planting.
I can remember years when it was so wet I couldn't plant much until nearly May.