Summer is here and long may it last. However, taking into consideration that the last two summers ended in June, I am thinking more along the lines of “make the most of every day”. But as each dry day leads into another the issue of watering becomes more pressing.

Now, when we first started growing veg on a small part of someone else’s allotment two years ago, I assumed that the more you watered the better the results. I would happily fill my watering can from the old tin bathtub that collected rainwater and was topped up from the tap when it was dry. I watered and watered until I realised that not everyone on the allotments was watering their plants as much as me. I started to feel rather self-conscious about it and made sure I kept my bad habit to evenings when everyone had gone home - although it was rather difficult to hide the evidence when those damp patches refused to disappear before the morning. In fact, Nick, the person who I was hiding the most from, had a policy not to water at all unless it was absolutely necessary (I think he still does, but I will check). And when I looked, his runner beans and potatoes looked perfectly healthy without any extra H₂0.

So last year I held off a bit (although if I did water I still snuck over at dusk) but, like I said, we got a lot of rain last year so it would be difficult to judge whether my abstention made any difference.This year I am a changed woman. I water with my head held high. I have confessed and have received confessions in return, that watering is good and there are quite a few of us who have been at it! I can water before the moon comes up and in company. It is a burden lifted. In addition, I had read a book on organic gardening by Bob Flowerdew (sorry Bob, I can’t remember the name of it, but it was very good and very useful) and he advocates regular and thorough watering as the most beneficial thing you can do for your plants. Official endorsement too!

However, it’s not as simple as all that. It never is, is it?! I understand – or not really – that some plants like water at particular stages in their development and not in others. And this is where I sigh. How am I going to remember what wants watering and when? At last count we had about 30 odd different things growing including different varieties, and a range of herbs and salad-type crops. Carol Klein talks about beetroot in her book Grow Your Own Veg: “...as a rough guide, water thoroughly every 10-14 days during dry spells. Lack of water causes woody roots; a fluctuation in water supply can cause splitting; and an excess means leaves at the expense of roots.” When I read that it sounds simple enough (but she doesn’t say what happens if you don’t water them at all – I guess they are condemned to certain death) but the trouble is once I get over to the allotment I instantly forget.Oh well, it is enough to know that I can water without guilt.

There is just one thing left to say about this watering business: when you have a 30m allotment full of stuff to water, it can get really tedious (I wouldn’t mind some rain...)

Oh, I popped over to the allotment this evening to water the beetroot and I saw Nick who confirmed that he only waters when absolutely necessary – tonight’s the night!

Of course, it's not all hard work - enjoying a barbeque with fellow gardeners