what a difference a rain makes

It has been an unseasonably dry summer here at Hyde Rd. Despite having close to 100,000 litres of tank water, we've had to buy 2 small loads; yes, we're totally off-grid water-wise.

Thankfully the house has an extensive irrigation system so we have managed to keep enough water on the garden to keep it alive. On my list of to-dos is to adjust our grey water system so it provides more benefits.

Last night we had 8mm of rain and this morning the hens didn't know where to scratch first!

Even a small rain like this makes a huge difference to the garden - it always amazes me what a difference actual rainfall (and the nitrogen it brings) makes. As Lloyd's of Rochester says 'it’s like the plant version of the “Hallelujah Chorus”! The plants not only perk up, but they practically leap up and suddenly you have new growth, flowers or a need to mow your lawn.' Looking forward to that :)