The dry and sunny Spring of 2025 brought this years fruit and veg on a month earlier than the previous two, i've been struggling to keep up with that and paid work, but there are pros and cons.
I can get around the fields without sinking and whenever doing anything outside I don't need to clear everything away in case it rains, because it just doesn't. A bare patch in a field says it all though:
My water harvesting system isn't complete and the garden is starting to need water, especially seedlings and stuff in the PT. Established plants which have got their roots down in my vastly improved (water retentive) soil are still fine.
I've never liked the idea of using the borehole for the garden because of perceived costs. They, like solar panels are huge investment with gains taking decades to recover.
But then I didn't pay for it, we just pay for the maintenance and electric. So how much does X amount of water cost in electric? I'd never done the calculation and now was the time.
I pulled out the invoice which said the pump will transfer 2300 litres per hour, sadly no more info so I crossed referenced that LPH with some pumps in a catalogue to come up with a wattage and then an electric usage of about 25p per hour. I don't think 2.3 IBCs of water for 25p is bad, so won't feel much guilt turning it on the garden when the time comes - this won't be long as no serious rain is forecast for the foreseeable future.
