Dail, Bristol - July 2026
‘Gardening in a Heatwave’
I have a small back-garden in central Bristol with 5 raised beds and a thick layer of loose pebbles between them. Conceived as a formal city garden with traditional cottage plants, it is slowly rewilding. Plants I have purchased and nurtured are crispy, while those which have self-seeded are thriving. Naturally, they are not in the raised beds but in every crack in the paving or pocket in the gravel. The raised beds are almost empty now, as a result of the heat, and even the salvias are struggling.
The espalier apple and pear trees are out of control, but it seems unkind to cut them in the scorching heat. The recent weather is teaching me to let things go and be relaxed about it. Planning and anticipation are part of gardening, so I need to reconsider my plant list for next year. Possibly more agapanthus and fewer tulips.
Bees and other insects are coming to Marjoram, Gaura and the Verbenas. There seem to be more butterflies but fewer bees and hoverflies this year, and it’s several years since I last saw an earwig.
In the heatwaves the heat builds up in the house and when the sun has moved away, sitting outside in the evening is the best part of the day. I am fortunate to have a garden which makes me feel happy.
Catriona, Cambridgeshire - July 2026
Observation and planning for autumn, watering seedlings and tending to my home-made compost. Noticing the plants in my own garden that are thriving during the heat and drought. Listening to reports from other gardeners and planning for October when I will be moving some plants around and planting new.
Looking great in my south facing garden right now: Stipa ichu (drought tolerant grass, provides gorgeous texture and movement and looks great through early winter, followed by free soil protection when I finally chop and drop to the ground. The chopped material also continues to provide great shelter for wildlife in the cold months). Heptacodium myconioides (A small tree with scented flowers that are just about to burst open).
I make an effort to find varieties and cultivars that others mention that are particularly attractive to pollinators and wildlife or beneficial to soil. I have just ordered a bare root Rosa ‘Night Owl’ ready to receive and plant in November. This is a gorgeous deep purple short climbing rose and I am particularly excited!
Jo, Cambridgeshire - July 2026
The heat and drought this summer have led me to look at my garden more closely. I was worried about the birch trees, having heard they may suffer, but possibly because they are mature, they have stood up well. Shrubs are all doing well, and most perennials and the morning glory are loving the sunshine. The casualties have been day lilies, the poor pond, and my attempt at no-mow. On the plus side, I have not one but two hummingbird hawk moths, and the swallows raised two babies. I leave water out in various places for local wildlife, and a very happy goldfinch feasts on the thistles left to grow outside my daughter's bedroom window, giving her a chance to appreciate nature. Over autumn, I plan to fill borders by dividing the most successful and established plants like Verbena bonariensis, hibiscus and Japanese anemones whilst allowing self-seeded beauties like Alchemilla mollis to do their thing. Planning for better water collection over winter is high on the priority list.
Bev, Cambridge - August 2026
'On the plot: a year of weather extremes'
As a seasoned allotment holder, this is one of the hardest years I’ve experienced for growing. The very start of the year was often too wet to do anything, slowing me down in getting my allotment ready for planting. However, dry weather soon replaced wet, as April saw lower than average rainfall in Cambridgeshire. As a result, much earlier than usual, I found myself watering regularly. And just as my seedlings were getting established, a surprise late frost that froze the tops off, was followed only a week later by the first heatwave that baked them!
Now in our fifth heatwave and barely a raindrop in sight during the last few months, my harvest so far has been a mixed bag. My rhubarb and raspberries have found the heat and drought challenging, with the latter shrivelling up on the plants, as I just can’t water them often enough. My garlic and onions were nothing special – they grew, but not as much as I expected given how long they were in the ground. The potatoes, leeks, corn, peas, brassicas and squashes are doing okay, but only thanks to regular watering.
With the water butts having dried up long ago with no rain to replenish them, plus a hosepipe ban in place, watering involves multiple trips back and forth to the tap. This is a real effort and very time-consuming when you have a large plot. I need to do on average 15 trips back and forth at the height of the growing season, giving my allotment around 300 litres of water. This is the equivalent of the average person having 4 baths in one day. Usually by now, I’d be watering maybe once or twice a week. This year, I’ve consistently had to water 3 or 4 times a week since the end of May – a lot of watering!
As a result, mulching is now a big thing. I’m using cardboard and straw to keep moisture in the ground, reduce water stress and conserve more water while also keeping the weeds down. I’m also looking into different varieties of vegetables that can cope with the extremes, especially heritage varieties, which can be more robust. Whatever I try, there’s one thing for sure: the extremes of weather we’re now experiencing due to climate change means I’m constantly having to adapt how I garden.
Instagram: @busy_allotment_bee