Why You Need to Plant Before a Rainstorm
You might think that the sun is a gardener’s best friend, but I always welcome a day or two of cloudy weather and rain during the summer season. The reason is simple: these are planting days, whether you are sowing seeds or starting out.
Sowing before the rain
Different seeds have different needs: some seeds like light, some like darkness. Some seeds need cold stratification; some people prefer to soak in advance. But most seeds require simple conditions to germinate: Keep the soil temperature at least 60 and no more than 80 degrees and keep the seeds moist. This is not difficult, but it is difficult to plant outdoors in the summer because it is difficult to keep the soil constantly moist. When it comes to crops like carrots, moisture is critical.
A few days of rainfall will give your seeds the moisture they need without you having to constantly water them outside. Now, to be clear, we are talking about normal rain, not heavy rain that will blow or wash away seeds. Moderate rain over a few days will saturate the soil, giving the seeds shelter for a few days after the rain stops. For this reason, looking at a calendar of upcoming rainy days will help you determine when to plant your seeds in the ground.
You don’t need bright sun at first
Replanting even the healthiest shoots is still a shock to the plant. These gentle babies need a little time to recover before they are exposed to the hot summer sun, which will cause them even more stress. Planting just before or during cloudy days is ideal, but light rain is even better. Again, we’re not talking about a bomb cyclone, just a normal summer downpour. This shouldn’t last long either. Even 24 hours is enough to help you settle in and prepare for the harsh light of the new day.
How to pretend if the weather doesn’t cooperate
At the height of summer we will have many weeks without clouds, but planting must continue. If you’re growing from seed, the answer is simple: instead, growing starts inside and then planting. If you need to plant outdoors, you can maintain moisture by covering the soil. For carrots, it is customary to cover the soil with damp burlap or even soaked cardboard. You must keep it moist and leave it that way until the seeds germinate. Otherwise, consider using shade cloth and watering regularly several times a day, as you would with grass seed.
If you are planting the seeds on a sunny, hot day, plant in the early evening to allow them to cool down overnight. Give the plant some shade in the morning. Since this is temporary, it can be as simple as an umbrella, box, or shade cloth. You can remove it at the end of the day.