What April showers?

Rainfall down for 3rd year in row... but it helps plants

THEY have long been an essential part of our spring for weathermen, gardeners and great poets alike.

But for those who like to wax lyrical on April showers, their source of inspiration may be drying up.

For last month saw almost a third less rainfall than average across the was the driest part of the UK, with UK. And that made it three dry only 44 per cent of the average Aprils in a row – although the rainfall for the month, according average of 1.9in (48.9mm) was still to the Meteorological Office. well above the 1.18in (30mm) we Southern areas were especially had in 2020 and the paltry 0.81in dry as high pressure dominated, (20.6mm) last year. seeing only just over a third of the

But while gardeners usually normal amount of rain for April, complain when the weather is dry, while Wales had 53 per cent. experts say the lack of April showers Scotland and Northern Ireland has been a boon for plants as it were closer to their long term prevented diseases that thrive in average, at 92 per cent and 96 per the damp. cent respectively.

England, as would be expected, Average maximum temperatures across the UK were 12.6C (54.6F), higher than the long-term normal for April of 12C (53.6F). For England, the figure was 13.7C (56.6F).

Dr Mark McCarthy of the National Climate Information Centre said: ‘High pressure has been the prime influence of UK weather in April, bringing with it a good period of calm and settled weather, especially in the South.’

But slightly lower than normal overnight temperatures saw an average of 5.9 air frosts, which the Royal Horticultural Society says may have harmed some fruit trees. The charity’s Guy Barter said: ‘Fruit flowers are vulnerable to frost and it is likely the apple and pear crop will have been affected.

‘However, in many regions garden fruit trees had little crop last year due to spring frosts and were consequently laden with blossom this year. With luck enough flowers and fruitlets will have survived to give a fair crop in 2022.’

The RHS said the dry April has been a boon for gardeners as diseases including powdery mildew and fungal leaf spot thrive in more humid conditions.

Plant pathologist Liz Beal said: ‘Reports of common garden diseases are at low levels this year after a mild and dry start.

‘While this stands to benefit May blooms such as lupins, hawthorn and bearded iris, gardeners should consider the impact a change in the weather could have on their carefully cultivated plants.’