Deep rooting desirable

Your bloom could star in a ‘virtual’ rose show, says Peter

- Peter Seabrook

THE summer of 1976 was hot and very dry; it taught us many lessons on how to cope with drought, at a time when even trees wilted. My one abiding memory was trying to keep plants alive, to the point that grey water (we had to take showers, as they used less water) was redirected to plants.

Once the subsoil dried out completely, it was hopeless, and the best approach was drip water close to the base of plants it was felt needed to be kept alive. Slow drips of water penetrate deep into the soil where it is needed.

At the time of writing, there is no sign of rain in forecasts for my part of the country, and while there is still moisture several inches down, lawns have gone brown and surface rooters are suffering.