This is what happens when you leave hubby in charge of the garden for 3 weeks.
Okay it was just one plant that is hanging under the eaves of the house
The tomato plants never survived the move from the direct sunlight to the more shaded area.
Only 4 of my seedlings survived the heat, they are basil.
The petunias flowered forever but came to a natural end.
I had no idea what I had planted out in the sand pit, I thought they were Petunias but it appears they are Celosia and have different coloured feathery bits on the ends.
There was a sale on at the Garden Centre so I picked up a selection of perennials for around 20p a plant.
Again the weeds seem to be growing nicely. The roots grow much deeper than the plants and that seems to ensure their survival.
It has been so hot the past month around 42c and with the humidity being high the ground just isn't drying out in-between watering, which can only benefit the plants.
There is something funny going on with the Bougainvillea, this plant is changing from white into pink over the 3 weeks I was away.
Apparently this is caused by changes in temperature as well as soil nutrition and/or disease.
Apart from watering, this is the end of Creating a Garden in the Desert until late November. I have a trip booked to the UK in September and in October and November I will be working on charity projects in South Africa and on my return I will start sewing a wider variety of flower seeds and I'm going to attempt to grow potatoes, beans and strawberries.
It must be incredibly challenging growing a garden in the heat and desert soil. I suspect my efforts would look more like your husband's!
ReplyDeleteI'm surprised at actually how much stuff grows here. We never water the Bougainvillea and to be fair to hubby (only because he reads this) some of the plants I think came to a natural end
Deleteoh, that's the worst! it's by far the hardest part and the one i like the least about going away
ReplyDeletewe rely travel a the same time as one another and I was informed I didn't actually point out the plants in the white containers
Deleteoh, that's the worst. by far the hardest part and my least favorite about going away
ReplyDeleteOh no! I remember leaving my father-in-law in charge of the watering while we went on holiday for just a week. I came back to a greenhouse of brown tomato and bean plants. He said it hadn't been warm that week...
ReplyDeletelol, men eh? they never understand our reasons and always have better ideas
DeleteSorry to hear about your plants :( But good work on the 20p bargains!! I'm amazed at the stamina of weeds - like you say, I think it's down to the depth the roots grow. Strawberries love sun and heat so I'll keep my fingers crossed they grow well for you.
ReplyDeleteit's just a shame the weeds aren't pretty with flowers, they just crawl across the sand
DeletePoor flowers, poor bougainvillers,...water is life,and in a calor country nececity every day, best regard from Belgium
ReplyDeletewe never water the bougainvillers, they just seem to grow wild everywhere around our neighbourhood
DeleteOh dear - sorry to read about the plants, such a pain. I read somewhere that alpine strawberries are meant to do well in drought like conditions.
ReplyDeleteExciting news that you are coming to the UK though - roughly where abouts will you be? It would be fab to see you at some point :)
Thank you for joining in again x
I've been unable to purchase strawberry plants since we've been here, but haven't completed a full year yet, so I'll keep an eye out for the alpine variety, I'll message you my travel dates
DeleteOh no, how disappointing - but sounds as if you are up against the elements gardening there #hdygg
ReplyDeleteit certainly is a battle in this heat
DeleteIt must be truly tough to look after the garden in your climate. My husband would be totally clueless in the garden. I only trust him to mow the grass, and even that under my supervision.
ReplyDelete