Hailstorms are only to be expected in spring, but as gardeners, we're always flirting with the unknowns that weather brings upon us. Will it or won't it.... rain, shine, freeze, frost.... that's the gamble, isn't it? And we enjoy pitting our knowledge and experience against the uncertainties of nature.
Jambop, no damage here at all. In fact the consistent rain this past few days has been most appreciated after a very warm stretch. I'm heavily under mulch (the garden, that is) so watering is something i don't need to resort to for weeks on end except in instances of new plantings or sowings, and then only about twice until they get underway.
During May, I've been harvesting mangetout (Shiraz, Oregon Sugar Pod, Sweet Horizon), blette, epinard, salad (7 varieties), salad greens (mizuna, rocket, red frills), spring onions (white lisbon, ishikuri, feast), beetroot (3 var) coriander, parsley and other assoc herbs.
Tomatoes, aubergines, peppers all fruiting. Raspberries, shell peas, thornless blackberries all heading in the right direction. Brassicas under environmesh as insurance against the inevitable cabbage butterfly.
Succession planting well advanced but i'm leaving plantings light on during July and August, until the heat passes. Do you do similar?
Take heart that plants will recover. After all, they have well established rootballs to sustain them during their recovery.
Snowdrops, the hail looks horrendous!
