Rain? Rain?. Go Away!
Submitted by Rene? McCracken, Director of Agriculture NTCC, Mt. Pleasant, TX
Rain, rain, go away! Perhaps I will regret uttering that plea for the constant rainfall to cease when the dog days of August are upon us, but sometimes enough is really enough. It has not been a ?normal? year of precipitation for Northeast Texas at all. However, not too long ago in 2011, you may all remember that there was a long drought period that we all thought would never end. In fact the lasting effects can still be felt in the loss of our older trees in the landscape. In some cases, farmers and ranchers lost their livelihoods and in others the drought and wildfires caused some to lose their farm and home. Although am a bit rusty on gardening in the rainy weather, I have become quite creative in finding ways to work ?with? Mother Nature instead of against her!
Here are a few tips on gardening in the rain:
1. Garden in containers that can be moved under carports and covered to prevent over watering and flooding the plants.
2. Create a ?rain garden? using several plants that prefer their roots to be wet.
3. Mulch can be your friend to wick moisture away from some plants.
4. Sand incorporated into soils can help them to drain more quickly.
5. Build a rain barrel, pond or simply a guttering system to keep heavy rain away from plants.
6. Rain means cooler temperatures so - if you're bothered by the heat when you garden, this will be perfect, 'cause it's cooler!
7. The shock to newly planted materials is so much less and the soil is easier to work ? so add lots of transplants that are usually on sale after mother?s day.
8. If it is raining ? there are usually less family activities and other things to distract you from your tasks in the garden.
9. Dress the part ? work clothes and mud boots will help keep you on your feet and working.
10. Greenhouses, hoop-houses, potting sheds, sun-porches and others may be used to start seeds and transition them into larger pots until the wet weather leaves.
11. Lastly, just because you are short on space don?t forget about going vertical: pallet gardens, and shoe caddy?s help to maximize your ?covered? garden spaces.
If you would like to get some more tips on gardening in the rain, mark your calendar to attend the 4th Friday Farm to Fork Farmer?s Market at NTCC on May 22, 2015 beginning at 9 am and lunch served at 11:30. All menu items will be grown and purchased locally for a wonderful fresh and filling meal ? tickets are just $10. We will be demonstrating how to plant a ?pallet garden? and serving up another fabulous feast - fresh from the garden! If you would be interested in being a vendor at our market applications can be found at www.ntcc.edu/ag. You can also pick up an application at our ag complex or call me at 903-434-8267.
