It has been soooo dry here in Essex. We haven't had any significant rain in our neck of the woods for over 6 weeks. We have had the odd shower that has wetted the pavements, but it hasn't helped the gardens at all. I am spending almost everyday at work watering for my customers, their lawns are yellow and dusty and trees are shedding their fruit and leaves. I know non gardeners are loving this prolonged sunshine, but as a gardener, I have been doing the rain dance everyday for weeks, hoping I will wake up to the pitter patter sound. Eileen, looking at the map on the news, you seems to be getting rain, send some our way please. (p.s. Still computer probs. I started resizing photos last night, then Gardenstew crashed and I couldn't reopen it. Grrr. Fingers crossed I will be able to do some more tonight and actually get some pics uploaded.)
You're more than welcome to all our rain EJ as it's pouring down daily here. We've also got gale force winds but I doubt if you'd want them. I hope the rain decides to make its way down south to you soon before my whole garden is awash.
We have been getting about an inch of rain a week or more since early March. Had about a 1/2 inch yesterday. Last night we were in a tornado warning from 8:30 pm until 9 pm. But just got some wind and rain.
I wish I could send you some rain EJ...we have had far too much of it this spring. I guess there is no happy medium these days ... too wet or too dry.
EJ, here in Texas we feel your pain. I mean really, really feel your pain! I'll cross my fingers that you get beneficial rain soon or sooner. The finger-crossing thing worked for Dooley, so maybe it will for you, too.
Fooey, EJ-- We are not much better over here. The broadies have been very stunted this year. They are loaded with flowers, but very low to the ground --some folks' plants are not even a foot tall. Mine are better than most, but them I germinated mine in root trainers and so they have excellent root balls...and I have been giving water regularly--but even with that they are way under their normal height for this time of season. It keeps looking like it might rain, but until now it has been sparse. There is a tremendous wind here though...there too? That just potentiates the droughty lack-of-rain conditions. :-? Have you been enjoying the Chelsea Flower Show this year.....will you go again for the last day?
Sorry to hear that Essex has also been rainless. I think we need to organize a group finger-crossing-wishing-for-rain event. And then another for wishing-for-sunshine!
Oh, EJ, I feel your pain. We were rainless Jan-March and this month we have been having some rainy spells but nothing compared to what we really need to get out of the drought and the faucet in the sky usually turns off for us around the 1st of June and stays off for 3-4 months. Looks like a very long, dry and hot summer coming up here too.
Y'all are invited to a communal rain dance at Red Gate Farm. Clothing is mandatory (chickens scare easy) and bring a dish to pass, preferably filled with something edible, but money will be accepted. We'll all join hands and dance around the light pole, and then adjourn to the barnlot for a hoedown (real hoedown--the weeds in the garden are getting out of hand). Also bring your own bedding, towels, soap and water. We are in a drought!
marlingardener, i would love to come, but I would have to row my way out of here i am so sorry that I can't just send all of our rain to you. it's an unbelievable amount. The farmers still haven't gotten into the fields and most of them are usually planted by now. I see fields that are flooded and the winter wheat crops have died.
Yep! Crossing your fingers must work. The first week we got about an inch of rain and the second week we got three to four inches. Forecast for tomorrow is for severe thunderstorms. I hope that just means rain but probably wind, too. I'll cross my fingers for you EJ. Just tell me when I can uncross them so they don't get all cramped up. dooley
SOOOO sorry to hear that. Should I send you some cacti and succulents? I know how disappointing it could be to wish for the rain and it goes to other places. We had rain two days ago. Yesterday it was still very wet. I weeded for a couple of hours in the evening... kneeling on my path.
Thank you all for your rain clouds and rain dances. It paid off. Today we had rain! Not as much as I would have liked, but enough to fill the waterbutts and give the ground a good soaking. It looks like we are in for a showery day tomorrow and perhaps more over the weekend. I am keeping my fingers crossed. My non gardening friends think I am crazy and keep moaning at me for wishing for rain, but my seeds won't germinate, my spuds are teeny, my broadbeans are short, my lawn is yellow and my willow is weeping leaves prematurely.
Glad you got some rain EJ. We actually got 1 inch last night! Not hardly enough, like you said, but at least everything got a little drink!
Glad to hear you got some rain today. Unfortunately we did too!!! another at least 3" :'( :'( :'( I wish we could send to those of you who need it.
