"Sacha" wrote
"Bob Hobden" said:
"Christina Websell" wrote ...
"Dave Hill" wrote.
How do we conserve soil moisture?
Mulches are OK, but in this hot dry weather water well so that the
water goes down below the root level so the roots follow it down, then
hoe the soil to break the capilary action that would cause the water
to syphon out again.
If you keep the soil surface hoed you will not only get rid of weeds
butwill preserve most of the moisture.
When sowing seed take out the drill, soak it well then sow the seed,
rake over the soil, firm it well with the back of the rake then rake
a little more soil over it lightly.
With large seed such as pear and beans soak overnight before
planting.
When planting out try to do so in the evening then puddle the plants
in, just watering around the plant and not all the soil between the
plants, loosen the surface after watering.
If you water in the evening then the plants have all night to take in
water before the heat starts to dry things up.

What heat are you talking about? It's so cold here today I was thinking
about lighting my woodburner.
What dry weather? It rains most days recently here in Leics.

Rain? What's that?

Yesterday, we went to a very elderly friend's funeral and I thought it was
going to be real funeral weather. The sky was overcast, black at times,
the air was still and it felt truly very thundery and humid. Nothing.
Same for much of today. Until the wind shifts, I'm told we won't see rain
here. Once it goes to the SW, it will/could be another story. Our
borehole has certainly paid for itself this year alone, never mind the
earlier years!

Looking at the forecast, later this week the wind direction turns to the SW
which would normally mean warm rain, but they are saying the temp will rise
but the projected humidity will drop and no rain here even then.

--
Regards
Bob Hobden
W.of London. UK