Rainy days might seem like a time to take a break from gardening, but they actually present a great opportunity to tackle a range of essential gardening tasks. Whether you’re working outside in light rain or staying dry indoors, there are plenty of ways to make the most of wet weather. Here’s how to stay productive with some gardening jobs to do in rainy weather.
Outdoor Gardening Tasks for Rainy Weather
If the rain is light or you don’t mind getting a little wet, you can use the moisture to your advantage. Here are some great outdoor jobs to do in the garden when it rains:
1. Weeding
Rain softens the soil, making it much easier to pull out weeds by the root. Take advantage of the damp ground to remove deep-rooted weeds like dandelions, nutgrass, and thistles. This helps prevent them from coming back stronger.
2. Planting
Many plants, including trees, shrubs, and perennials, establish better when planted in moist soil. The rain helps water them in naturally, reducing transplant shock and giving them a great start.
3. Mulching
Adding mulch on wet soil helps lock in moisture, suppress weeds, and improve soil health. Choose organic mulch like straw, wood chips, or compost to enrich your garden.
4. Checking Drainage
Rainy days are the best time to observe how water moves through your garden. Take note of areas where water pools or drains too quickly and plan improvements such as adding organic matter, creating rain gardens, or adjusting pathways.
5. Cleaning Up
Use the rain to wash down garden furniture, pots, and tools. You can also collect fallen leaves, trim damaged branches, and clear debris from pathways to keep your garden tidy.
Covered or Indoor Gardening Jobs
When the rain is too heavy to work outside, there’s still plenty to do under shelter or indoors to keep your garden thriving.
6. Starting Seeds
Rainy days are perfect for starting seeds indoors or in a greenhouse. Use seed trays or small pots with quality seed-raising mix to get a head start on your next planting season.
7. Propagating Cuttings
Take cuttings from herbs, shrubs, or indoor plants and propagate them in water or moist soil. This is a great way to expand your garden for free.
8. Tool Maintenance
Use this time to clean, sharpen, and oil your garden tools. Well-maintained tools make gardening easier and help prevent the spread of plant diseases.
9. Potting Up Plants
If your potted plants have outgrown their containers, repot them into larger pots with fresh soil to encourage healthy growth.
Some Final Thoughts
Rainy weather doesn’t have to mean a break from gardening. Whether you’re outside taking advantage of the damp soil or indoors preparing for the next planting season, there’s always something productive to do. By embracing these rainy-day gardening tasks, you’ll keep your garden thriving year-round.
