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Plants are among the victims of the recent heat wave. Photo: alexraths / 123RF Stock Photo

By Emily Aherne

The downpours and cold temperatures of last summer are distant and alien to the millions enjoying the Mediterranean style climate recently. For most it is a blessing, but for some it is causing untold havoc.

Plants are among the victims of the recent heat wave as garden centre owner Carmel Towey knows only too well. “The watering is unbelievable, we’re like water spouts,” said Carmel when speaking to The Avondhu recently. “Trying to keep things moist is nightmare.”

Usually only having to water the plants in the morning and late evening, Carmel and her staff were off their feet in an effort to supply plants with sufficient water all day. Luckily, there is a well at her garden centre in Kilworth so there is a constant supply of water available. “I can’t remember when it was this dry,” said Carmel.

Carmel explained that even the colours on flower petals are fading. Even the roses on the way into Kilworth are being stripped of their colour every day as a result of the intense sunlight.

Due to a combination of the financial situation as well as the unsuitable weather, “Sales are way down’” Carmel said. “Nobody can set anything.” The soil is far too dry and any plant set during a drought is unlikely to survive.

The main aim for Carmel is “trying to keep plants alive,” and she hoped that a drop of rain would arrive soon.

Also feeling the effects of the prolonged dry weather are the local golf clubs. Fermoy golf club is one of the lucky ones, as they have an irrigation system in place. With automatically timed sprinklers on the greens, the course remains in good condition despite the dry conditions. “We also hand water some of the tea-boxes and greens,” a representative explained.

For some courses, however, irrigation is not so simple. Some clubs have had to use large tankers to spread water on the course, which is a financial strain. The extreme heat made for a scarce number of players at midday, with most playing either early morning or in the evening when the temperature decreased.

“It’s a different challenge from last year,” the representative explained. Last summer the course was often waterlogged making it unplayable and the damage caused during that miserable weather took months to repair.

Although there is slight burning of the fairways, which is practically unavoidable, the course is in good condition and according to some experienced golfers at the Fermoy club, “A week of rain and all will be well again.”

Although the weather may be unsuitable for garden centres and golf clubs ‘it’s an ill wind that doesn’t blow somebody good’ as the old saying goes, and farmers are reaping the rewards of the good weather.

“Farmers around the country are making the most of the fine weather and excellent grass growing conditions to replenish winter fodder stocks,” said IFA president John Bryan.

“A good summer is critical to ensure that enough fodder is saved for next winter after the disastrous 12 months of difficult weather. Cereals, fruit and vegetable crops are also benefiting from the fine weather,” he commented.

Mr Bryan said however, that huge merchant debt was incurred for farmers buying in expensive feed over the last 12 months and despite the improved weather conditions, cash flow remains very tight on many farms.

The IFA president again called on the Minister for Agriculture, Simon Coveney, to secure low interest EIB finance to help farmers pay down merchant debt and repair damaged cash flows.

Directly involved with the farming community is local vet, Jack Aherne. Speaking to Jack last week it was clear that the heat wave is having both positive and negative effects on the animal kingdom.

“On the plus side, animals are thriving,” said Jack, “With foals, in particular, loving the sunshine.” “There are also reduced levels of liver fluke, which has been a major problem for the last five years because of wet summers.”

However Jack has also been dealing first hand with the negative effects of the recent weather on livestock and pets alike.

“With the increase in sunshine we see more cases of photosensitization which is a condition caused by a reaction to UV rays which affects the white areas of the skin. The black areas of the skin are protected,” Jack told The Avondhu. It is mostly a problem in cattle and can be incredibly painful for the animal.

“We also see more cases of CCN which is a brain condition caused by a deficiency of vitamin B1,” Jack said.

“On the small animal side, we see a dramatic increase in the number of dogs suffering heatstroke,” Jack explained. "For example, dogs left in cars may have insufficient air or may become dehydrated due to the intense heat."

All in all, it seems perhaps a sup of rain and a slight drop in temperature would be a welcome relief for many. Yet as the school children play in the summer sun and the beaches are packed to capacity, many marvel at the glorious weather that has blessed our shores this summer, which is so far removed from the washout of last year.

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