Saturday, May 28, 2005

Gardening in the Rain!

Some people sing and dance in the rain, but we're gardeners, so we go out in the garden!
If you haven't done it yet, get with it! When it's raining, the garden is a wonderful place to be for any number of reasons.
  1. There usually are NO bugs!
  2. If you're bothered by the heat when you garden, this will be perfect, 'cause it's cooler.
  3. You probably can get away with not watering newly planted things for a bit.
  4. The soil stays where you PUT it!
  5. The shock to newly planted materials is so much less.
  6. No one will bother you!!!!
  7. Everyone will think you're crazy (which you knew already.)
  8. Other gardeners will know now that you are serious about this.
There you have it. Now, go on out. Put on you grungiest clothes and boots. Find an old rain jacket, because if it isn't old when you start, it surely will be when you finish. Then be ready to feel like an 8 year old boy, because you'll be having fun playing in dirt that is less than dusty. After doing it a few times, you'll grow to enjoy it. The reason you'll enjoy it is because it really IS the best time to garden.

21 Comments:

At May 28, 2005, Anonymous Anonymous said...

It's also much easier to weed in the rain soaked soil. The weeds slide out like they're planted in butter. Since I have lupus, I can only garden when it's wretched outside, so I always look forward to the rain. I'm eagerly awaiting the next rainy day so I can get out there and plant up my last bed before the plants expire in their little pots.

 
At May 28, 2005, Blogger North Country Maturing Gardener said...

You are ABSOLUTELY right! I can't believe I left that one out!!! In fact, I usually pick the day RIGHT AFTER a rain to do my weeding! I plant in the rain, and while the ground is still wet, I weed.

 
At June 10, 2005, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I love to plant and weed in the rain. When I'm not dancing....

 
At June 17, 2005, Blogger Sandy said...

Gardeners are a hardy bunch! I also love to putter in the garden in the rain. One of the best investments I have made are my rain pants. They are great for planting in the rain!

 
At June 20, 2005, Blogger crazygramma said...

I agree and the comment about no one bothering you is the same one I have said for years when I am doing dishes. It is my quiet time because no one comes near you in case they have to help.

 
At June 04, 2007, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I googled the phrase "gardening in the rain" and found this older post in your blog! And I thought I was the only crazy one! I find that the only day when I finally, finally find the time to put out the plants and seedlings I have is when it is pouring rain - glad to know there are others out there! great blog!

 
At June 18, 2009, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I too love to garden in the rain.
It's alot nicer if it's a light warm rain---prevents me from getting a chill and having to run for a pee..

I had a neighbour say "Even chickens come in out of the rain and they have very small brains"
Needless to say ,I smiled and went along my merry way.

It does help to stay dry though and warm.

I bought a couple of hydo ovealls and jackets that really do the trick.
But mostly it's the groves I use when I garden in the rain .
If my hand s get wet -I have to pee..hahh

I really like a pair of mechanic gloves-they are yellow shamie and black--kinda $$ but rinsed out and left to dry are as good as new.

And all is right--no one bothers you much when your out there ...

comments about weeds slipping out easy and no bugs or extra watering to do when planting is a big help.

And ..hahha I do sing---while gardening in the rain..llallaaalll

 
At July 04, 2009, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Is there any danger of spreading diseases if I work in my flowers and vegetables during the rain or after a rain while the plants are still wet?
K

 
At July 04, 2009, Blogger North Country Maturing Gardener said...

ABSOLUTELY NOT! It's a fabulous time to garden!

 
At October 28, 2009, Blogger Barbara said...

Many thanks for this post. I am unemployed and I am trying to help out where ever I can. I was planning to do weeding at my condo today and then saw it was raining. I almost gave up for a sunny day, but then I found this posting! God Bless you. You made my day worthwhile.

www.joblessinny.blogspot.com

 
At October 28, 2009, Blogger North Country Maturing Gardener said...

This post has more comments than any other I think I've ever published! Also remember that EVERY day is worthwhile in the garden.
Maybe someone would hire you as a gardener?
Good luck!

 
At April 11, 2010, Anonymous Anonymous said...

When I woke up this morning to the rain I was dissapointed. So, I searched google to find out if I was crazy to want to garden today (my bf told me I was, actually) and, after reading your blog (and encouraging comments), I braved the elements. Now I'm happy to say I had fun and got lots of work done. Thank you!

 
At April 12, 2010, Blogger North Country Maturing Gardener said...

Hurray! Another convert to gardening in the rain!

 
At April 24, 2010, Blogger Darin McLeskey said...

I am planning on starting community garden on some vacant land in Detroit today. It calls for 100% chance of rain and possible thunderstorms. I'm really excited after finding this post. What is the best way to prevent mud from covering everything? Rubber boots with your pants tucked in?

 
At April 24, 2010, Blogger North Country Maturing Gardener said...

You need to be a bit careful at this time of year. The soil should be able to crumble when you take a fistful and squeeze it. If it forms a ball and STAYS that way, it's too wet. If you form the ball and it falls apart it's ok to work that soil.
If you're worried about YOU staying in "pristine" condition, forget it! You're going to get dirty! The pants in the boots will help, but don't hold your breath about staying clean... :-)

 
At May 02, 2010, Blogger Machelle said...

I just came inside soaking wet from, you guessed it, "gardening in the rain".
My husband and kids told me I was CRAZY! can you imagine that? so I googled gardening in the the rain and wound up here. I'm glad im not the only crazy gardener.

 
At May 02, 2010, Blogger North Country Maturing Gardener said...

No, you're NOT crazy, as all the other comments attest! :-)

 
At July 15, 2010, Anonymous Jason said...

I'm converted! It's raining.. I'm off to do some gardening :-)

 
At September 06, 2010, Anonymous Anonymous said...

i too was searching gardening in the rain i thought i was crazy but i have had a lovely time out there yeah wet and muddy but it was fun :)

 
At February 18, 2011, Anonymous Anonymous said...

i love seeing how enthusiastic you all are--i too love the garden in the rain. but here is one word of caution to you all, and this is the one thing that is the bummer and that keeps my activities in the garden in the rain to a real minimum: it is not good to be stepping, standing or walking in a wet garden bed because it compacts the soil. it's true. i have been told, and i think i have done this once in my life, that if you must be in a garden bed when it's wet, grab a board- like a small plank of wood and stand on it in the bed. it will help distribute your weight over a larger area, thus avoiding at least some or most of the soil compaction. have fun! :]

 
At February 19, 2011, Blogger North Country Maturing Gardener said...

You are ABSOLUTELY right! Never, never, never step into that garden bed if the soil is so wet that the soil might be compacted.
Usually, by the end of May, when I wrote this, things have dried up a bit. The soil should crumble if you make it into a ball, and hopefully you have passed that time. If, however, that is not the case and the soil is soggy, you are right. Stay out, or use a board to step on. What I meant was that if you go out weeding or working in the garden, during a rain is a wonderful time to be there. I don't think anyone would seriously go out in torrential rain, or a thunderstorm, which are the times the soil would be compacted.
So, enjoy, and don't be too intimidated by the weather!

 

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