No rain at all in April - and finally it rains on 8th May!

jap200

I live in East Kent, near Ashford and my water butt is totally empty, my lawn is dry and brown and I am fed up walking up and down every evening with a watering can to keep my newly planted veg seeds going.

Today is the last day in April and despite black clouds first thing this morning, we have not had a drop of rain here since some time in March!

Just had to get that off my chest!

MrsTinks

We had a little rain on saturday here in Oxfordshire Not very helpful I know but I still have to carry loads of water all the way through my house to water my veg and newly planted flowers...

Destined_to_be_skint

None here in west London either - only the past couple of days we had a smattering but nothing like the traditional April showers. Climate change must be in force...

BaileyB

We had 2 days last week in S Wales but thats all i can remember. Hose pipe ban this summer for everyone i think.

jap200

Mr_Kennedy wrote: »

We had 2 days last week in S Wales but thats all i can remember. Hose pipe ban this summer for everyone i think.

Our hosepipe ban is still in force from last year - no wonder I picked up a real bargain on a wall-mounted hosepipe this winter. It doesn't look like it will be getting any use this year!

Solomon_Broad

How about investing in a trickle hose?

alanobrien

I have two butts joined together and both are now empty, been using the tap for a week now ....no rain here in South Bucks for weeks either

margaretclare

It rained quite heavily for about 10 minutes one night last week. It woke my husband, lashing against the window. Other than that, it hasn't rained since 30th March.

Margaret

jap200

Solomon_Broad wrote: »

How about investing in a trickle hose?

Surely this would not be allowed if we have a hosepipe ban. Also, we have a big garden, so I think it would be a big investment. I'm not sure about the ethical/environmental use of these either - do they use much water? We are not on a water meter yet, but I know that in Kent they are talking about compulsory switching to meters in the near future - especially if this sort of weather continues.

No rain today either - in fact, not a cloud in the sky. Shame I'm stuck in door (supposed to be) working!

Hillfly

I live near Ashford in Kent too - but i'm certain the hosepie ban was lifted a while back? I hope so because i watered in some new grass seed just this weekend! I would never knowingly break a ban because i think water is a precious resource and should be treated a such. Are you sure the hosepipe ban still applies?

I'm just glad i bought the hardy drought resistant type of seed.
Digging the soil over was very hard going as it's so dry and hard.

Next year i'll be planting Cactii!

olly300

Solomon_Broad wrote: »

How about investing in a trickle hose?

Not allowed if there is a hosepipe ban. You can phone up your water company and check yourself but Thames Water says you can't use them.

Currently there are no hosepipe bans. http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/commondata/103196/1131555?referrer=/subjects/waterres/1014767/

However according to the BBC weatherman sales of watering cans have increased greatly as people think bans will be back in force soon.

My lawn looks weird- 2 patches of green where I've been watering newly laid turf surround by the old lawn which is brown.