Water containers?

[Nicos]

Has anyone actively bought more water storage containers in case this summer is as dry as last year?

I keep meaning to but not got round to it yet

[Snoop Puss]

No, but I've been looking ahead at the longish-term weather forecast. Penellype will know better than me, but it looks like the current La Niña is drawing to a close and an El Niño event is brewing. The outlook for here is for a return to rainfall patterns similar to those of a few years back, so not as dry this summer as it has been in recent years. However, over the next few months, there could be more storms, especially hail by the look of it too. So if you are hoping to harvest more rain, now would be a good time to invest in storage capacity.

[Penellype]

The long range forecasts are always pretty much guesswork, but a lot of the summer charts I have seen include high pressure. Much of Europe and some parts of the UK are still short of water after last year, and I think this is going to be an increasing theme in the future. It is impossible to say if we will get a dry summer but if you have the space for more water storage it would be a good idea to be prepared. Sooner or later you will probably need it.

From the point of view of the La Nina, yes it is coming to an end, but it is too early to say if it will become an El Nino. Even if it does, any effects of ENSO on our weather are delayed somewhat and therefore we are unlikely to feel the effects of an El Nino here this summer.

[Nicos]

Hmmm…looks like I didn’t speak too soon…

https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-64966953

[rary]

I have actually set up three water butts holding 450lts. in total this year, not because I am expecting a low rain fall, it just saves me a longer walk with the watering cans, the spicket I use to fill the watering cans is about sixty feet from the greenhouse whereas the water butt's are beside the greenhouse, and with the rain fall we have had here they could have been filled several times over

[peanut]

Yes, I got two more water butts last year, just got to get round to setting them up

[Babru]

I have two large and one small butts, and I'm looking round for a good price for another large one. Like Rary, it reduces my walk. We did have a very dry summer last year, but do usually get plenty of rain.

[Babru]

Found one reduced in Wickes for a good price. 210 litres with stand for £28. Price ends this Wednesday, if anyone's looking.