Moisture retention in dry periods

[Primrose]

I'd be interested to learn what methods people use to help retain moisture in their vegetable plots and gardens in prolonged dry spells like this.

Our soil is particularly light and dries out very quickly. I do try to dig in as much compost, etc. as possible but as we had to use a Weed & Feed treatment on our lawns this year, we're denied the use of grass cuttings which I'd normally use as a mulch.

I use water retention crystals in my patio containers which seems to help but it would be an expensive business digging them in over the whole vegetable growing area. Does anybody know where they can be bought cheaply in bulk, or have any other suggestions for materials which will help.

[Colin_M]

Good topic Primrose.

My first thought was the same as yours - compost.
If you have limited supplies, another thought is well rotted manure. I get the impression that stables are now finding it harder to dispose of their manure because our allotment has been contacted by several recently.

One other thought was triggered by seeing pelleted Comfrey & Alfalfa being sold by one of the gardening companies. Apparently you can get larger bags of sheep feed (again things like alfalfa) which might be another way of adding organic material in.

I'm sure others will come up with some more sensible suggestions.