Daylight Hours

[JennieAtkinson]

I was gardening last night (watering the polytunnel and a bit of dead heading) ....... at 10.30 pm ........... in DAYLIGHT.

And it gets better - still got another four weeks to go till longest day

[Alice]

But is it getting any warmer Jennie. I have a book called the climate of Scotland which gives the average daytime temperature for Shetland in May as 10 degrees, whereas we average 17 (but not this week!) Is that figure correct?

[sewer rat]

Sunrise is 03:30 here in Tain - I know cause I was still partying !

[JennieAtkinson]

Not very warm Alice - generally we would expect about 10 degrees at this time of the year. The other day was 15 which was great, but today was only 7 and felt very cold in the northerly wind. But the sun was shining! Already this May we have had more sun that then whole of last summer. It was a completely grey, sunless summer. Nobody could remember ever having one like it, ever.

Tonight I have harvested spring greens and purple sprouting broccoli from the garden, and the last of the leeks from the polytunnel, a lettuce and raddish. And most things are beginning to grow in the polytunnel, albeit slowly. So it must be warm enough for things to grow.

I have also successfully managed to germinate some Cleome. I love the flower, but everyone tells me they wouldnt possibly germinate in the cold. But they have managed it in the polytunnel - didn't even put them in the propagator.

I just keep trying and try to keep records of when I sow and the success rate. At least that way I can guage it for another year.

[Blueberry]

Hi Jennie

I went to Scotland last June for my hols (near Dundee) and I could not get over how light it was. 11.30 / 12 midnightish and it still was not completely dark. I really like that because I suffer from SAD during the winter months and I am always counting down the days until the clocks go forward. I've got to have daylight and be in the outdoors!

[Squirrel]

Know all about SAD Blueberry! Having been brought up in the sunshine of the southern hemisphere I find Feb and March just the worst months for it! Have resorted to putting in daylight bulbs in all the light fittings in the house which has helped a bit - I think!

I enjoy the long summer evenings, only problem is it does in my body clock and I never remember to eat at a sensible time in the evening! Result? can't sleep for the few hours of darkness that there are!

[JennieAtkinson]

We may have the daylight at the moment, but certaintly not the warmth. Temp in the polytunnel today was 9 degrees, but a strong northerly wind made it feel almost freezing. I sat with a huge fleece and jacket on, hunched with the door closed trying to prick out some plants, but my hands were so cold I realised the plants were going to struggle, so gave up and came in for a hot chocolate!

Everything seems to be at a standstill, despite the daylight. My tomato plants were about 3cms high 10 days ago and are still the same height and no added leaves.

I am also trying to harden off annuals. I don't have a cold frame so carry them in and out of the polytunnel each morning and evening to a sheltered spot. Didnt bother today as I thought they would have died of fright. Apparently frost in the valleys on Wed night. Out with the fleece again then.

Just hope it gets warmer soon. We set sail a week on Friday for the Round Shetland (midsummer ) Sailing Cruise. This is hardly weather for midsummer - but it has been dry and we dont have a hosepipe ban. Can't imagine there has ever been a hosepipe ban in Shetland.

[Alice]

Hello Jennie, everybody is having it unseasonably cold but not at the temperatures you are having it. We are making about 12 degrees on the north side of the house when it should really be about 17, and it's wet and windy. Our friends further south should have higher temps but getting unseasonable as well. Heading for June and hopefully better weather.

Having said that, a couple of years age we had a party to celebrate mid summers night. It was freezing, lashing ,and we had to have a fire roaring up the chimney to make the house comfortable.

Having said that, on the 1st of June (weather forecast looks better) all my tumbling toms are going outside as they are so big and covered in flowers and the greenhouse can't contain them any longer. Will post a pic when I get them laid out - hope they're not there all wrapped up in fleece !

What do you grow in your polytunnel? How about a pic .