Rainy Day Watering is Best for Plants

Rain in the forecast. Dark clouds coming toward my house tell me I have to get my new perennials in the ground quickly. Rainwater is the best!   A little water from the hose as backup in case the rain clouds pass over without sharing. And it begins to rain.

As much as possible I try to keep the weather in mind when putting in new plants. Free water that benefits my plants is my goal.

Obviously, there are many times when my schedule doesn’t coincide with a weather front full of rain. I plant when I have time. But I always keep track of the weather and rain possibilities.

The rain doesn’t cost me anything and it’s better for the plants. Rainwater gives them the nutrients they need to grow well. It’s a green way to water.

I have looked into rain barrels – buying one or two I mean! I also checked out making my own. Because we generally get enough rain in a timely fashion, I‘m not pushed into action.

My hairdresser made one rain barrel. She assures me the flowers she can reach from it, do very well, compared to the flowers that get hose water.

Container plants are a special case. Containers dry out faster because the sides of the container are exposed to more heat versus plants in the ground. I’ve lost annual plants because I didn’t get water there fast enough.

Keep as much moisture in the containers as you can:

• Line the pots with two layers of newspaper to keep the pots cooler and retain moisture.
• Add organic potting mix that has fiber in it to hold water a little longer. 
• Put a light layer of mulch around the plants once they’re in the container.
• Plant heat and sun friendly annual flowers. The ones I’ve found through trial and error that like it hot and muggy (humid) are: Salvia, Petunia, Zinnia, Vinca, Million Bells, and Geranium.

Most of my container plants are out under the sky where they can catch the rain. A green way to water. If there’s no rain during hot and muggy days, hose water works. I usually water containers every two to three days.

In hanging baskets this year, I’m trying dianthus. So far so good with the heat. Watering is the same as for the other containers, two to three days.

Rainy days can ruin outdoor plans. They can cause over watering, mold and flooding. And rainy days are the best way to keep plants green.

For more info on the benefits of rain on plants see:
http://www.gardenguides.com/126494-effects-rain-water-plants.html 
http://www.mercurynews.com/2017/02/13/for-plants-rain-has-benefits-that-tap-water-simply-cant-deliver-9/