Summer has arrived and right on cue, the hot weather I forewarned about last month has temperatures knocking on 35 degrees and above in the very first week. These soaring temperatures are not ideal for us or for our gardens and the key to both getting through to the end is hydration and lots of it! And, of course, the obligatory reminder that occurs nearly every time you read one of these newsletters, to put down a thick layer of mulch. We’re all mulching by now, surely?
Not without good reason do I harp on about mulch so much and, if it helps, you should think of it as the icing on a dirt cake with layers that are teeming with living organisms and essential nutrients to help your plants grow. However, only if your soil is healthy and apologies if the term ‘dirt cake’ has ruined your afternoon tea! But isn’t dirt wonderful stuff? A rich loamy soil full of earthworms and microbes and minerals, organic matter, water and air, that all combine to provide essential nutrients and the space for creating the pores needed for root growth, good drainage and aeration in ideal proportions.
But moisture from regular watering is equally important in the quest for quality soil and optimum plant health. Poor soil that has suffered beneath the baking hot summer sun and irregular watering patterns can become hydrophobic and no longer take up and retain any moisture. When soil becomes hydrophobic, the soil particles themselves become encased in a waxy organic compound that repels water instead of absorbing it.
Hydrophobic soils can be recognised by water beading or pooling on the surface or simply just running away completely without soaking in. Most hydrophobic soils are devoid of microbial life and organic material after a prolonged dry spell. Fixing hydrophobic soil involves using liquid wetting agents or surfactants as a short-term fix and improving soil health long-term by adding compost and organic matter to encourage beneficial microbes and break down those waxy layers.
Such is the time of year, however, when thoughts stray to Christmas cheer. It can be a busy time when other more important things take precedence but if you do notice any issues as you set up your outdoor spaces for Christmas lunch, make a note of it and tackle it as soon as you’re able to in the New Year.
December jobs to do now:
- Decorate a living Christmas tree!
- Give hedges a light trim
- Feed indoor plants
- Check and clean irrigation systems
