Article Published in the 'Khronicles' May 2008

Well, what weather we are having. As I write this column it is less than two weeks ago that the rain was pelting down and the garden was waterlogged. Now, the sun is blazing down outside and we have been suffering with the heat caused by the southerly winds. In the garden this means one thing – plants are already starting to wilt. The combination of wind and sun is just sucking the moisture out of the leaves, and anything with short roots or an un-established root system is starting to suffer.

In my garden it is the vegetables and things in pots that are at risk. If you remember, I sowed some snowball turnips and peas back in October. Well, they have both been cropping very well but are needing watering every evening to keep them going. As it is the turnips are starting to bolt (run to seed) and I don’t think I will get many more from them.

Plants in pots are always a problem in hot and windy weather. Unable to send out their roots to look for moisture they must rely on us. Please check on them at least every day and water if required.

At least I don’t have a problem with my small ornamental garden. It has been established now for over a year and the plant roots are deep enough to find water. It won’t be long though before I have to give it a weekly soak. Any of you who have recently planted plants, however, must be vigilant and keep them well watered. Also any plants that are more suited to more northerly climates will need water.

One group of plants that have not suffered in the heat are the succulents. These are a very variable group, which includes cacti and many other plants that have developed storage structures to hoard water. They are evolved to cope with dry or desert conditions. At the moment many are giving a beautiful floral display and I have noticed the Hottentot fig (Carpobrutus edulis), Trailing ice plant (Lampranthus species) and various Aloes in flower.