Control Your Garden's Weather

Every summer gardener should have a checklist.

In the spring, we test our soil and amend the nutrients that are needed for the right pH balance. We weed our beds, start our seeds, mulch where needed, and make sure that our rows are getting the right amount of sun each day. Maybe you even do a little pruning to make sure the nearby trees haven’t grown in to shade out your garden.

After all of that work is done and the forecast gives us the predictable summer mix of rain and storms, there’s nothing to do but sit back and watch your plants grow, right?

Well, no, not exactly. Though many of us relish the experience of summer storms showering our gardens, there is such a thing as too much rain. Persistent summer showers can cause root rot, nutrient loss, and other major problems in the garden. Too much water can be just as threatening to a garden as too little.

With severe weather and even flash flooding predicted throughout the South this week, a rainy summer is expected ahead. It is probably time to add a few steps to your garden's checklist.

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Here are a few things to know:

Look For Standing Water

If pools of water form and stay in your garden for days after a rain, it’s likely you have an issue that needs to be addressed. Standing water cause soil to go anerobic and prevent oxygen from reaching plant roots. Leveling garden beds and filling in low areas prone to pooling is one of the key steps in proper landscape design and maintenance.

Identify Root Rot

Waterlogged roots can appear reddish brown and smell like moldy, rotten plant material, but you likely won’t be able to check for those signs without digging up your beds. Sluggish growth and wilted leaves are two signs that your plants may be suffering from root rot. Many experts suggest that removing plants with root rot, rather than trying to rehabilitate them, is the best approach.

Create Drainage

Drainage is the key factor for mitigating root rot and other problems with too much water. For potted plants, this can be as simple as ensuring all containers have drain holes and saucers. For beds though, drainage issues can require more complex solutions, depending on soil type and landscape type. It may be smart to consult a professional.

Weather.com copy writer Wyatt Williams is exploring the relationship between weather, food, agriculture, and the natural world.

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