Victoria Summerley: Don't panic - your garden can survive
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Gardeners are more familiar than most with the Law of Sod (if you'll excuse the pun). So it comes as no surprise that, in the week when seven UK water authorities bring in their hosepipe bans, it starts raining.
But that's good. Just think how smug you'll feel when you wake up to an extra few inches of rain in the water butt. B&Q reports that sales of water butts in their stores have risen by 198 per cent compared with this time last year, and of course rainwater is much better for plants (and ponds) than tap water.
Indeed, sales of any kind of water conservation equipment – drip irrigation systems, siphons for grey water and so on – are up, but if the thought of setting up some complicated piece of kit makes your brain feel tired, there is a simpler way to conserve any moisture that might be in the soil.
Put a thick layer of mulch over beds and borders. You need a depth of about 5cm (2in) to stop water evaporating. If you can't do the whole garden, mulch around newly planted acquisitions. Chipped bark looks very professional and is easily available.
Plants in containers will benefit from a layer of pebbles, or gravel – I use quite large cobbles as this also stops squirrels digging in the pots.
Forget about the lawn. Yes, it may go brown. No, it won't die. It will green up again when we get some rain. Which, according to the Law of Sod, will probably be in mid-July.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments