July is hotting up

July arrived and it was like someone pushed a switch, the temperature suddenly rose 15 decrees. The temperature rising incredibly fast every morning, with afternoon storms, sometimes with rain, rumble through the Hautes Corbieres. The humidity levels are high and the air feels heavy.

After the warmest January on record the temperature plunged in February to a chilly -12, March and April and the beginning of June were wet, cold and at times windy. It was warmer at Mum’s place in North Yorkshire than down here in the Corbieres. The Verbena, Pineapple Sage and perfumed geraniums all died back, again.

More importantly everything was, if it was growing at all, late. The Basil was yellow, the tomatoes feeble and tiny. As June progressed things got better, but the cuttings of Lavender, Verbena, Spanish Thyme (Mastichina),  even the Thyme Latifolia wasn’t budging. It was a little disheartening going down to the polytunnel and surveying the calm. The Parsley, Chives and Coriander on the other hand were ecstatic

Then June started to get better and better,  the plants suddenly started to push through, the Basil exploded, the cucumbers, courgettes and toms flew off the stand.

And now it is too hot, the polytunnel stands empty with all the plants up around the house. Watering, which is mainly done by hand plant by plant is just a question of stepping out the door.

So we are constantly up potting, taking tip cuttings, moving plats into the illusive shade and sweating.

I use to complain that the wine growers never had anything good to say about the weather, or anything else for that matter. I have never heard one say,” My Goodness this year is great, the vines are perfect, the harvest excellent and you should see our sales”, no never, It is always a “catastrophe “.

Well I really should start listening to myself before criticizing other. It may not be a catastrophe, but this July is certainly too damned hot.

But not really complaining, as I type this the Tour de France is winding it’s way through Northern France before heading for the Alps,and tonight of course is the World Cup, a French win will cheer everyone up round here, but a Croat victory would prove that the little guys can do it, so mixed feelings. Well not really, still want the French to win.