The recent rainy pattern has certainly helped the drought and provided your gardens with a healthy drink of water. However, it’s still important to know when/how much to water your outdoor plants based on the species as well as what the weather in your area has been like recently.
Despite the recent rains, it’s important to keep in mind that it has been very dry since last fall. This means that some of the recent rainfall may not have absorbed into the ground all the way since dry soil cannot absorb water as well as moist soil.
Today
Right now as I’m writing this, there are a few areas of thunderstorms; one to the east of Baton Rouge that is moving slightly to the northeast but is mostly stationary, one in and north of Mobile that is moving north, and a few scattered storms near Laurel, MS. I don’t anticipate these storms to “blow up” and produce too much rain since high temperatures today are below normal for this time of year and there is a decent amount of cloud cover. Localized areas may receive significant totals, but it will not be widespread.
Tonight might be a good night to go outside and tend to your garden (with bug spray!) as temperatures are below normal and rainfall doesn’t look too widespread. If you didn’t leave your potted plants underneath a porch over the past few days because of the deluge, watering tonight is probably not necessary. If you did, you might consider watering them today or soon. For raised and in ground gardens, watering is probably not necessary.
Later This Week
Long story short, we’re in for another wet week. This means heavy watering will not be necessary, unless the plant species requires lots of water, or if your potted plants have been shielded from the recent rain.
Our area is expected to receive a healthy 1-2.5″ of rain in the coming week. Totals will be on the lower end of the range in eastern/southeastern Louisiana and on the higher end of the range further east near southern Alabama and the Florida panhandle, especially as you get closer to Tallahassee. Localized amounts may be higher than what is pictured.
The amount of rain per day and the total amount of rain we are going to get this week is actually very good for crops such as spinach, cauliflower, tomatoes, and peppers, all of which need roughly an inch to an inch and a half of water per week. I would recommend leaving your pots outdoors not under a porch so you can capitalize on the favorable pattern and save on your water bill.
As for temperatures, the best day to tend to your outdoor garden if you’re further west in Louisiana and southwestern Mississippi will be tomorrow as daytime highs will be cooler than average in the low 80s. If you’re further east in Alabama and Florida, the coolest days will be Saturday and Sunday with highs in the upper 70s and low 80s. Perfect for weekend gardening!
Unfortunately, we won’t be getting any breaks from the humidity this week and this weekend. A trough in the rocky mountains and great plains as well as a ridge over the upper midwest and off the coast of the Bahamas is forcing the the humid gulf air north into our area while preventing the cooler, drier air of the rocky mountains from reaching us.
Early next week however, a strengthening trough over the northeast and eastern Canada will hopefully make its way far enough south and deliver more comfortable dew points for outdoor activities, including gardening.
I enjoyed the article . My plants are my best friend! Would like to see more articles like this. Thank you