My Climate Change Garden

The rain finally arrived in the SE of England last night after almost a month of drought. As I sit writing this blog there is a sheet of very heavy rain refreshing all my plants and no doubt bringing sighs of relief from gardeners everywhere.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/topics/weather/7884027/Heatwave-at-an-end-as-rain-arrives.html

Heavy rain is great for filling water butts – up to 4inches is predicted in some areas this week. According to the Low Carbon Diet, installing a rainwater butt can save 0.6kg of CO2 per year – equivalent to a three mile drive in your car and up to £200 off your water bills.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2007/jan/21/observermagazine.ethicalliving

The UK currently uses 70% more water than we did 40 years ago and this is rising all the time. In the recent hot weather up to 70% of domestic water may have been used in the garden.

Spain may be the holders of the World Cup but they are not doing so well with their rainfall. Barcelona sometimes has to ship water into the city using huge tankers when their reservoirs are only quarter full.

Gardens in Barcelona are being planted with artificial turf to beat the city’s water crisis. Its a drastic way to beat the drought but maybe UK gardens will have to consider replacing our precious lawns. http://www.reuters.com/news/video?videoId=82397

Water usage is crucial in Southern Europe due to exceptionally high temperatures and low rainfall in the past ten years.This is an issue that many more countries in Europe might have to deal with in the not too distant future.

It is possible to have a lawn in our changing climate if you follow a few simple rules: http://www.globalgardening.org/uploads/pdf/lawn_care.pdf