The problem is that soil recharging of water (reducing the 'soil moisture deficit)' general takes place in the UK between about November and March, when rainfall is generally higher and evaporation is lower. When the rain can be absorbed by soils, the reports call it "effective rainfall". By the late spring and summer grounds are harder, temps higher and evaporation greater, so rain that falls then doesn't recharge soils so much.
Luckily we were in a pretty good position in the south-east by the end of last autumn, but two full months without rain in the key winter period will have a knock on effect further down the line. We can't really "make it up" through the summer and early autumn.
January was a very dry month in London and Herts - getting only a third of the long term average rainfall. Feb looks like it will be a little better, but still too dry. Most of Dec was also. It doesn't bode well.
This is the Water Situation Report for regions of England for Jan.
Was glad to see some rain over the last couple of weekends down here. January was ridiculously dry and sunny (pleasant though it was). Hopefully a bit more to come over this week.
Our rainfall was low in January but we had quite a lot last autumn so although river flows are a bit down on normal, ground water here is normal and our local reservoir is over 90% full.
Gardening on the edge of Exmoor, in Devon
“It's still magic even if you know how it's done.”
Thanks @Fire , that confirms my feeling that it's been a very dry winter here. We really need a couple of months of wet weather now (although I'd like dry during the day at weekends so I can do some gardening without getting soaked ).
Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
I think you're right @Fire. Which season does have some impact though, a dry winter and spring causes us more trouble than a dry summer and autumn. We're not really prepared for either scenario though
Gardening on the edge of Exmoor, in Devon
“It's still magic even if you know how it's done.”
yes. In the UK it's historically more common to have wet winter and spring and drier summer and autumn and flora and fauna are more adapted that way around.
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“It's still magic even if you know how it's done.”
“It's still magic even if you know how it's done.”