Off The Grid Living…Wet-Weather Gardening: 6 Tips When The Rain Just Won’t Go Away

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Wet-Weather Gardening: 6 Tips When The Rain Just Won’t Go Away

Written by: Kristen Duever Survival Gardening

Wet-Weather Gardening: 6 Tips When The Rain Just Won’t Go Away
Image source: Telegraph
Normally about this time of year I would be making my first awesome batch of homemade tomato sauce. But this year, I simply don’t have enough ripe tomatoes for that yet, and most of them are still very green. And as much as I love snow peas, it just doesn’t seem right to still be harvesting them in late August.
Like many in North America, I am living in an area that is experiencing an usually cool and extremely rainy summer. And I must confess that it has thrown my gardening game off quite a bit. The veggies are behind, and the weeds are ahead.
In the right amounts rain is a blessing to the home gardener, but excessive amounts of rain can cause major damage, including plant diseases, soil erosion and flooding. If you, too, are experiencing an over-abundance of rain, you know it can be a challenge keeping your garden in good condition. After all, it’s not like you can really run outside and put a giant umbrella over your entire garden every time it rains.
There are, however, a few things that you can do that may help.
1. Watch for Flooding. During heavy rains, any areas that are not draining properly should be easy to spot. If plants are allowed to stand in water for any length of time it can lead to root rot. If you do notice areas that are prone to flooding, find ways to drain water away from your garden. This can be done using rock beds or even using plastic water drains.

2. Examine Plants. Heavy rains and thunderstorms can cause plant damage, and extended periods of wet weather can lead to plant diseases such as powdery mildew. After a severe storm, check your plants for damage. If only a few leaves have been damaged, you can remove them, or if a plant has been bent over from the force of the rain, you may be able to stake it back up. Unfortunately, it the main stem has snapped, it is likely that the plant is a loss.
If wet weather has been persisting, it can lead to plant diseases caused by fungi or bacteria. These should be treated as soon as they are discovered.
Also, remember to check the base of the plants to see if soil erosion has exposed any roots. If it has, you should cover them with soil or compost. Left exposed, the roots can dry out, which can seriously harm or even kill the plant……..MORE HERE

Source: www.offthegridnews.com

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