April Showers

mrs fish · #1 (**permalink**) 08-04-2007, 08:17 AM

There haven't been any

I hope we get some soon otherwise alot of plants are not going to germinate.

nightshade · #2 (**permalink**) 08-04-2007, 08:36 AM

I had occasion to dig down two feet and the soil is absolutely bone dry
despite all the rain we had

dbozkurt · #3 (**permalink**) 08-04-2007, 12:29 PM

We have had only a little bit of rain for the last 2 weeks but after the wettest winter for decades the fields and peat bogs are still flooded. The dry weather returned just in time for lambing...to nature has finally be kind to us up here. My friend in Surrey was power washing her patio down before the next hose pipe ban comes in.......Due to go down Surrey in a few weeks for a long weekend to visit friends and family so don't worry I expect I will bring some rain with me!

Debs

badgerwatcher · #4 (**permalink**) 08-04-2007, 01:06 PM

I now keep a large bucket in the corner of my kitchen into which I empty any water, tea or coffee that would normally go down the sink, and tip it on the garden. It's amazing how much water we throw casually away.

aeshna5 · #5 (**permalink**) 08-04-2007, 09:15 PM

Forecast is set to stay fine, dry + warm for rest of the week, at least in the south, according to the Countryfile forecast. Later in the week some south-easterlies, so that should see the migrants heaving in (hopefully)!

Stewy · #6 (**permalink**) 20-04-2007, 03:10 PM

Rain forecast for Mon/Tues where I am, fingers crossed that we get some

wildflower · #7 (**permalink**) 20-04-2007, 03:35 PM

I cant remember last time it rained here in west midlands ..its bone dry and dusty..i have to keep topping my pond up wish we could have a good downpour..

Stewy · #8 (**permalink**) 20-04-2007, 03:48 PM

Bone dry here too in Berkshire, Anyone know any good rain dances?

Tinkerbell · #9 (**permalink**) 20-04-2007, 05:33 PM

I'm with you here badgerwatch - black bucket at the ready. Today has been a treat for the raised beds and patio plantings (containers get dunked).

This lack of rain is rather worrying though - although anyone who enjoys warm, dry weather is probably very happy. Fingers crossed we get some showers next week.

Tinkerbell

Garden Carpet · #10 (**permalink**) 20-04-2007, 05:42 PM

What a shame we are never content with our lot. Definate signs of rain on the way here in Lincs...

jaki

mrs fish · #11 (**permalink**) 21-04-2007, 08:17 AM

Three dry weeks now

I do feel for the blackbirds as I am sure they must have youngsters and the ground is so hard and dry.

Being England I am sure it will be a wet soon

smartie · #12 (**permalink**) 21-04-2007, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by badgerwatcher

I now keep a large bucket in the corner of my kitchen into which I empty any water, tea or coffee that would normally go down the sink, and tip it on the garden. It's amazing how much water we throw casually away.

I agree with you too. We spent all last summer with a large plastic mixing bowl in the bathroom washbasin to catch the hand washing and teeth cleaning water and it was amazing how much there was. We filled a water butt every three days or so from the shower and hand basin by diverting the appropriate drain pipe. Just about time to get it fixed up again, I think.

nightshade · #13 (**permalink**) 21-04-2007, 09:56 AM

They poor old Blackbirds and Thrushes,we could do with some good ideas
for keeping the lawns available to them,perhaps Badgerwatchers bucket of
reclaimed water put on one area of grass in the evening and covered till
morning or just lightly shaded with "Shade Netting" that is used for some
plants in garden centres
I noticed that many birds came to bathe under my sprinkler when I could use it
any more ideas

BUMPKIN · #14 (**permalink**) 22-04-2007, 09:49 AM

Went for a good 2 1/2 hack around the setaside yesterday and couldn't believe what huge cracks there were in the rock hard ground. I live in an area where the soil is very heavy and full of clay, Isually this time of year certain parts of the setaside are quite boggy still and this continues until after it has been cut back in June/July.

On the upside the orchids are out in the usual place at the usual time so they don't seem to have suffered.

kaz · #15 (**permalink**) 22-04-2007, 01:57 PM

It's raining

I never thought I would be glad to see rain. We are still feeding haylage to the horses because the grass is just not growing (except on the lawn). It will take a lot more than we are getting now to soak into the ground.

wildflower · #16 (**permalink**) 22-04-2007, 08:13 PM

We had a brief shower here in the west midlands and i believe we have some forcast for the next two days i hope we get a great downpour..

Duke of York · #17 (**permalink**) 22-04-2007, 10:07 PM

We thought we were in for some rain today. This afternoon the cloud got thicker and blacker, then a few spots of rain fell and then.............. it stopped

. It did the same this evening.

mrs fish · #18 (**permalink**) 23-04-2007, 06:56 AM

I'm sure the rain is on its way here as this morning there is a mackerel sky and that means a change in the weather

I think this has been the first April that I have had to water pots in the garden

Wild-Woman · #19 (**permalink**) 23-04-2007, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrs fish

I'm sure the rain is on its way here as this morning there is a mackerel sky and that means a change in the weather

I think this has been the first April that I have had to water pots in the garden

Apparently the forecasters are saying the SE will remain dry.
Give it 50 years and I'll be posting camels and scorpions on WAB, where we've been turned into a desert!..........That's if I make it to 95 te he!

nightshade · #20 (**permalink**) 23-04-2007, 08:30 AM

It has tried to rain twice here not enough to warrant windscreen wipers yet though.
Wetting the lawn in one area with clean"waste" water has brought in Blackbirds,
Starlings,a Thrush Rooks and Crows as well as nextdoors Jackdaws Woodpigeon and Collar Doves

almostnormal · #21 (**permalink**) 23-04-2007, 09:20 AM

oh dear, do you want some of our rain? its been drizzling almost non stop now since saturday evening, and everything is soaked. this is great for the garden, but i'm not sure how much good its doing, because the ground was so dry to start with. since we've had virtually no rain for about 3 or 4 weeks before its a bit worrying, if it stays like this i'm not sure our waders / wet grassland species are going to have a good year.

nightshade · #22 (**permalink**) 23-04-2007, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by almostnormal

oh dear, do you want some of our rain? its been drizzling almost non stop now since saturday evening, and everything is soaked. this is great for the garden, but i'm not sure how much good its doing, because the ground was so dry to start with. since we've had virtually no rain for about 3 or 4 weeks before its a bit worrying, if it stays like this i'm not sure our waders / wet grassland species are going to have a good year.

Yes please put it in a large box and send it C.O.D

wildflower · #23 (**permalink**) 23-04-2007, 10:28 AM

I woke up to lots of rain and its still raining..The dog isnt impressed as he hasnt had his walk..

but the garden is enjoying it..

smartie · #24 (**permalink**) 23-04-2007, 11:41 AM

I watered all the pots and the raised beds yesterday in an attempt to make it rain, but all we've had so far is a 10 minute shower.

There are cracks appearing in the lawn already. Good test for all the supposedly drought resistant plants I put in last autumn, I suppose.

Stewy · #25 (**permalink**) 23-04-2007, 12:31 PM

Had a few spots here but it's hardly wet the ground and going by the forecast it look's as though we are gonna miss it