Talkback: Drought damage in the garden

Gardeners' World Web User

It's really interesting reading this as a new gardener. (Although not really a problem up in Aberdeen - so far) The first thing I would do would be to go out and water it, I would be concerned that it wouldn't grow back. So much to learn!

Gardeners' World Web User

We have a group of 4 lilys growing in our garden which are over six feet tall is this a record

Gardeners' World Web User

Living in the South East, I can sympathise with you Adam, we have missed all the rain for two months now, and some of the less established shrubs are looking a bit sick. The lawn is awful, dried to a crisp, but it will come back when the rain returns, I hope. Still, looking at the positives, not having to cut the grass does give me more time to tote water to the tubs, containers and baskets, which look fantastic, obviously enjoying the weather and my water carrying labours. No doubt we will be moaning about the wet or cold soon. The real irony is that, I spent a lot of time putting drainage under the lawn in the spring. Oh! and sorry Bob, but my lilies are at least seven feet high this year. Whats going on with them, they normally struggle to make four feet.

Gardeners' World Web User

My tiger lilies were unusually tall but nothing to do with the weather as i grow them in the conservatory to avoid the lily beetle - must be the bulbs having the tall gene in them, I think. The drought was long and hard in Bristol too and I watered the essentials as I saw it but was pleased to see my new asparagus plants have made it and the runner beans are recovering. With veg. I think the secret is lots of horse manure in the soil.

Gardeners' World Web User

Can't agree with you more about the value of adding manure to your soil, happymarion. I am a fan of using peat-free composts as mulches around veg (and flowers), but these do not add the 'quality' or organic matter to soil that manure does.

They are often so coarse, and don't create enhance the humus content of soil that manure does. Home-made compost is also good, but again this is different to manure.

What do others think?

Gardeners' World Web User

Can’t agree with you

Gardeners' World Web User

I am having terrible problems with runner beans this year. they don't seeem to climb ... the leaves are curling with a sort of mosaic-type pattern. I've been watering as best I can.

Gardeners' World Web User

One of the things I've been doing is amending my soil...good soil seems to help. I get my garden soil here because I like that they make it themselves and the quality keeps everything looking great through the summer. Thanks for the beautiful post! Time to water the garden! )

Gardeners' World Web User

Well folks I lugg the water from the bath even though I am still in the war years and only use a few inches of water, I scoop it out with a plastic jug into a watering can, only water my pot plants with it every thing else has to take pot luck.

Gardeners' World Web User

Water saving tip from Australia! To catch precious water that usually goes straight down the plughole, use a plastic bucket to catch the first minute or two of shower water before it warms up & similarly when washing up. Also save water used to rinse salad and veg (colander over platic jug). You'll be amazed how much there is. Easy to just pop and and water the pots with it!

Gardeners' World Web User

I live in West London and not only do I have brown patches but I also have cracks in the lawn for the first time ever. Its all I can do to keep my plants alive.