This summer’s drought has prompted Cecilia Cran to look for ways of making her garden even greener and recycling rain

I’m looking out at my flowers, which have been scorched to within an inch of their lives, while also trying to understand what has become of my once little patch of lush green lawn, now drier than the desert.

I took a second out of doing my exhaustive rain dance to write this column. Thankfully, said dance seems to have worked – not a moment too soon!

I’m not alone in pausing for thought about what this extreme weather means and why we’re where we are, as well as, importantly, where we are headed. Scientists have confirmed that if we don’t reduce our carbon emissions, this new weather will be our new normal – with far more tragic effects than shrivelled plants and a barren spot of lawn.

I’ve been looking into simple ways to be a little greener in the garden. Specifically, how I can limit my water usage. One step I have taken is to help make best use of rainwater – I have invested in a water butt. Available online and in lots of hardware stores and garden centres, they come in a range of styles and sizes. These are designed to harvest rainwater, so during the drier months you have a ready made store of water, meaning no need to use the hose. They’re good for your pocket and the planet – win win.

What to grow:

Cyclamens. A low growing, hardy plant, with delicate little flowers that pack a powerful pop of colour. Perfect for the longer grey days and chilly months. Plant cyclamen tubers in the early autumn and wait for flowers to grow through the winter months.

How to grow:

Select a site that isn’t too sunny as they prefer shady areas, and be sure to choose a spot with soil that will retain moisture, but is also well-drained. Whether planting in the ground or in pots, the same rules apply.

Prepare the area by raking in some peat-free compost and ensure you remove weeds and any old foliage. Dig a hole around 3-5cm deep (do not plant them too deep, as this limits the flowers they produce, too deep and you will not get any) and space them around 8-10cm apart so that when they grow, they will spread out. Lightly cover with your compost and water them in. Do not over water, as if tubers are exposed to too much moisture they will rot.

Mulch the plants annually around November time to protect from the frost and provide essential nutrients. Place a layer around 3-5cm thick, using a leaf mould mulch – beech is an excellent choice for cyclamens, as it is not too rich. Leaf mould is quite low in nutrients but high in organic matter, so is excellent for the soil – improving water retention and drainage and ultimately the health of your cyclamen plants.

Green escape: Greenway Orchard

Recently I was cycling along the Greenway and I had to do a double take as I passed a neat plot of fruit trees and a colourful sign that announced it as the ‘Greenway Orchard’.

I pulled up and took a look. Despite sitting right next to the thoroughfare that is the Greenway, it is an exceptionally tranquil space, very still, with a lovely, calm atmosphere. The area is small, but perfectly formed, very carefully mapped out and well cared for. It houses a host of native fruit trees, shrubs and flowers, bug hotels, places to sit and watch the world go by, bird and bat boxes and a number of raised beds for fruit and vegetables.

The Greenway Orchard is maintained by volunteers, with some funding and support from passionate individuals and the organisation Plaistow South Big Local (PSBL). The volunteers meet every Thursday from 11.00am – 2.00pm, to help prune, plant, water and weed, as well as anything else that they need support with on site. Definitely one to explore!

E-mail: greewayorchard@gmail.com to find out more and volunteer

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