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at the moment, by getting up very early, and getting in 3-4 hours before breakfast at about 10. Then doing admin. - A couple of hours hopefully shady, or in the sun but well protected by hat and factor 50 about 2 pm. - Then home for a shower and rest, - Then doing an evening session of watering and planting till the light fades. - Lucky for me i'm not in clients gardens much at the moment, and not using noisy machinery on my dawn outings!
Hat and 10 litres of water.
Also this may seem funny but slow down a little and you will get things done in the heat just as quick; this comes from experience from living in Fiji and having to clean up after Cyclones when the temp is 30 degrees+ and humidity is in the 90's; also take a couple of minutes when you get to a job to enjoy the cool air in the van and plan the easiest way to do what you have to.
Also make sure you stop for food as this is a great way to keep hydrated and your energy levels up and finally if you get thirsty you are already dehydrated so stopping for a quick drink won't help stop for a good 10 minutes and get plenty of fluid in as we are driving about and a dehydrated drive is a danger.
Makes one understand a bit more why counties like Spain rest in the middle of the day but start early and work into the evenings.
Another consideration is using mortar and concrete products in the heat, especially in direct sunlight.. If they dry out too quickly there's a danger of their integrity being damaged and a chance of having to make unexpected repairs in the short term
This year I have invested in a cool bag and ice packs (why I never thought of this before i'll never know) It's great having a cold drink of water instead of one that's the same ambient temperature of the van cab which has been around 40 degrees recently.
Drink plenty of fluids, I also add in the odd can of coke for a bit of energy,
The other advantage of the cool bag is non-liquefied chocolate bars,
A hat is essential and frequent short breaks in the shade just to cool down.
I am also now addicted to cold showers when I get home and drinks with ice in (and I don't mean whiskey)
finally if you get a headache through the day it could be dehydration or too much sun on the head.
Keep cool and hydrated people.
loving it, but also dont mind the cold, BUT NOT RAIN
phil
I stopped work at about 2 on Saturday, and I think it's the first time I've actually felt some ill effects from the heat. It was an enclosed garden, so no breeze and extra humid, but I did feel almost like I'd had a few drinks, if that makes sense.
I don't think you can hydrate too much when it's this hot, and unfortunately there are plenty of large jobs to do with all the hedges and stuff. I do wish the birds would nest at a time that allows me to get cutting hedges earlier.....
I reckon keep working but maybe a little slower with lots of drinks and don't beat yourself up. We're already looking at delaying a turf job because of this heat but then it will be more work in the early autumn and the grass will benefit
"We're already looking at delaying a turf job because of this heat"
Might be wise. Even in the absence of a hosepipe ban the logistics of trying to keep turf watered will be a struggle.
These aerial photos on the Mail website this morning show how the countryside is becoming drier:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2363929/UK-weather-Londons-...