Well, what great 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 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 has been 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 now need watering every evening to keep them going. As it is the turnips that are starting to bolt (run to seed), 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 for water. Please check on them at least once a 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 good weekly soak.

Any of you who have recently put in plants, however, must be vigilant and keep them well watered. Also, any plants that are better 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 enough 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.

Have any of you been experimenting in the vegetable garden? Why not share your results with others. Contact me on the above e-mail address or on my blogsite:
http://www.quality-gardens-crete.blogspot.com/  where you can also read my previous columns.