Another topsy-turvy set of figures with May, July and August below average rainfall and June with above average. Despite that very useful rainfall in June the total for the year so far is well below what might be expected by the end of August. From my observations, gardens are beginning to suffer, with even some well established shrubs and trees looking decidedly unhappy with sparse, pale, drooping leaves.

The sunshine total hours of 843 during this period have been much the same as in the previous six years apart from the high of 1017 hours in 2018. However, periods of intense heat with record breaking temperatures have given our climate a Mediterranean feel. Perhaps we should be adapting our gardens to these hotter, drier conditions?

Peter George

05/09/2019