|
Tue, Apr 29, 14 at 13:02
| I have a couple flats of seedlings that need to go in the ground... I've spent the last week+ helping them harden off and they seem to be doing just fine outside for long periods. Last night I forgot them on my porch until late and they looked just fine when I checked on them so I left them out overnight (low was in the 50s, only a few degrees lower than the daytime temp). Still doing fine this morning and ready to go in the ground... problem is, rain, rain and more rain. I know "April Showers" and all that, but we haven't had more than one clear day in a row for the last week and it's forecasted to rain nearly every day through the next 10 days. Temps are pretty consistent in the 50s day and night for the next 10 days and May 1 is our last Spring Frost date so I feel okay leaving my tomatoes out... but I don't want them to drown in the garden. My tomatoes are re-potted in 4" pots, I planned on planting them out this weekend, but they could probably stay on my porch until the rain clears (hopefully in the next 2 weeks). But my cool crops (broccoli, cauliflower, nasturtiums) should have been in the ground a week or two ago we just haven't had any clear/dry days and they need to get in the ground ASAP. How do you plant out with all this Spring rain??? |
Follow-Up Postings:
|
- Posted by Slimy_Okra 2b (My Page) on Tue, Apr 29, 14 at 13:22
| I like to till in the fall for this reason. In the spring, when the soil is warm enough, I plant out all my cool-season crops, rain or shine. It's very important to lay out pathways in the fall as well, so you're not walking all over the wet soil. Rain jacket, rain pants and rubber boots complete the picture :) |
|
- Posted by Eaglewerks none (My Page) on Tue, Apr 29, 14 at 13:50
| I often have the same problem. Here (in Northern Missouri) I have had success with simply placing the pots and plants all grouped together in the garden, self-supporting one another, and then actually transplant them into a permanent spot, even if muddy, when the weather breaks enough for me to plant them. Sometimes I can get only a few planted and have to run for shelter until the following day. I do try to give the soil around the newly planted plants some weed protection by laying down a few sheets of newspaper (around the plants) weighted down with some spare mud/soil. Good Luck! |
|
| I'm always pleased if it rains after transplanting. You water them when you plant, of course. But if it then rains afterwards that helps bed them in. Transplanting in warm, dry weather is a pain imo. Not that it happens much. Rain every day for 10 days is normal spring weather here. I planted out lettuce the day before yesterday deliberately because it was between showers. I'd get those cool weather crops in asap, and hope for rain after. |
|
| So.... it's not too hard/stressful for the plants to get pelted with rain and totally soaked in their first day out? I don't care about getting wet when I'm out there planting, it's not like it will be continuous rain and I shouldn't need to step into the soil in the garden to do my planting (I have stepping stones/boards throughout the garden beds). I was just under the impression that the plants wouldn't transition well if they got inundated right at transplant time. Thanks for the quick feedback... I'll plan to get those cool crops in this afternoon and the tomatoes this weekend as planned! |
|
- Posted by Slimy_Okra 2b (My Page) on Tue, Apr 29, 14 at 15:10
| As long as you don't have standing, stagnant water sitting around after the rain ends, they should be fine. It's much less hard on the plants than being exposed to wind and sun. And as floral_uk pointed out, a nice rain drives out all the air pockets between the rootball and the soil so they establish quickly. |
Please Note: Only registered members are able to post messages to this forum. If you are a member, please log in. If you aren't yet a member, join now!
Return to the Vegetable Gardening Forum
Information about Posting
- You must be logged in to post a message. Once you are logged in, a posting window will appear at the bottom of the messages. If you are not a member, please register for an account.
- Please review our Rules of Play before posting.
- Posting is a two-step process. Once you have composed your message, you will be taken to the preview page. You will then have a chance to review your post, make changes and upload photos.
- After posting your message, you may need to refresh the forum page in order to see it.
- Before posting copyrighted material, please read about Copyright and Fair Use.
- We have a strict no-advertising policy!
- If you would like to practice posting or uploading photos, please visit our Test forum.
- If you need assistance, please Contact Us and we will be happy to help.
Learn more about in-text links on this page here
