THE LATEST FROM THE FIELD

 "Feeling hot, hot, hot" - The Merrymen 

Three heatwaves later and it’s taking its toll….and this latest one is the longest and certainly hitting the hardest. 

Now you’d expect sun-loving flowers like zinnias to thrive in the heat, but this summer’s relentless rays have been frying the tops, rendering them unusable for cut flowers. It is disheartening after they looked so spectacular in May and early June. As anyone who farms, gardens, or watches Clarkson’s Farm knows, you can’t control nature.

It feels like this heat might be a sign of things to come every summer, though I know better than to try and second-guess nature. Last year we had heat, but not for this duration. It makes you think carefully about what to grow in 2027—or perhaps we should just ignore midsummer altogether and stick to spring and autumn flowers. One thing is for sure: if I do make changes, it will end up being a cool and rainy summer in 2027!

There isn't much to update at the moment beyond the usual routine of watering, weeding (strangely, they are still thriving!), and a bit of mowing. Roll on autumn, when the asters, dahlias, and chrysanthemums will hopefully enjoy some cooler days. 

Until then, you can mainly find me out in the field performing a rain dance!

Zoe