Met Office confirms summer will be drier and warmer than average

Back in January 2009 I expressed my thoughts that that 2009 would be warm and even questioned the possibilities of a heatwave.

This prospect seemed to be heightened when the Met Office also predicted that 2009 would be warmer than average.

Today the Met Office have confirmed that 2009 will be a barbecue summer with temperatures above thirty degrees although this will bring heavy localised rainfall and thunderstorms.

For the British gardener, this will bring challenges and I would urge that preparations are made well in advance to collect and conserve water in case of hose pipe bans.

I would also invest in some kind of organic mulching material; whether that is spent or fresh straw or shredded paper or perhaps composted leaf mould to help shield the soil from the sun and retain water below the surface.

A water collection tank (bigger the better) with a rain saver down pipe connection might just be a wise investment.

I shall be employing my tomato watering and feeding technique - let me know how yours get on.