Prepare your garden for the 2009 heatwave

I made two predictions on New Year's Eve. The first was the reversal of the Euro's fortunes after it nearly touched parity and the other was that 2009 would be hot with the possibility of a heat wave.

Well, so far the Euro has indeed found itself on a hiding and has suffered the worst ever trading week, against the pound in its ten year history. At one stage the exchange rate reached £1 = 1.013 Euro and is at the moment taking a breather as traders take profits. I see support at 1.05-08 before resuming a fairly relentless pace through this year.

The second prediction now looks set to come true with the announcement on the Met Office website that 2009 is set to be one of the top five warmest years on record.

Temperatures are predicted to be 0.4 degrees centigrade above the long term average trend and with it an increased probability of record temperatures after 2009.

From a gardening perspective it is probably time to think about storing water, creating and buying in water retaining mulch, planning the right vegetables that will thrive if water restrictions come into force and perhaps stock up on sun creams and parasols.

If you are a trading person - sell umbrella and raincoat shares?