Note from a Small Garden As I write this on a blistering hot Sunday, I’m wondering how you are all getting on with watering. As we live in the region with the lowest rainfall in the country (even though we had a wet winter), will there need to be a hosepipe ban in the next few weeks or so, if this heat wave continues? At the moment I have to admit that I am watering the pots, tomatoes and the cucumbers in the poly tunnel every day, usually in the evening. Some people say, however, that plants should be watered early in the mornings. It’s thought that they may absorb the water better that way, but I must say I haven’t noticed any difference! I also water the beans and the courgette family in the potager and have to admit that I use a hose pipe. Watering new shrubs and trees weekly is a must in this weather. Unfortunately, as we have a thatched house, its difficult to catch the rainwater except off the garage. I remember my aunt, even in her late eighties, watering with the bath water, but you need a system feeding into a tank in order to catch all the wastewater. But we may all have to do that. A butt doesn’t hold enough water for a very hot summer! Please let me know your thoughts. Alas, I have lost a new damson and plum tree, bought from Arrington Nurseries who say that they will reimburse me. I think it was because of that sharp frost we had in May followed by drought. But anyone with good plum or greengage tree is in for a bumper year. Our old greengage trees are at least 60 years old, and happily send out a new branch, when half the tree dies. This year they are laden. And now I have a question. We are off on holiday with the children and grandchildren shortly and alas, I have no Kilner jars left to bottle the fruit. I have always been told that it is important to remove the stone before freezing as the fruit is liable to taste of almonds. This year I am doing a trial of stoning half of my greengages and leaving the stones in the rest before freezing. I will let you know the results next time!
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