When the Rains Don't Come

Colorado's Front Range is an arid region. Like most gardeners in this part of the country I look forward to rain clouds and the possibility of the gardens receiving a free, natural watering. Colorado Springs averages less than 18 total inches of precipitation each year; that includes moisture from both rain and snow. This week, the possibility of precipitation was in the forecast on three different days. My gardens received none.

A creature of habit, I water on a fairly consistent schedule. Different plants receive more or less depending on where they are and what they are, but the activity of watering occurs regularly. When the forecast includes a 40 percent chance of rain, or more, I'll modify my schedule and hold off until the storm passes. If water reaches the ground in an appreciable amount I may not have to supply supplemental irrigation for a day or two, or more. When the rains fail to appear, it may mean the plants need even more water because of the lost day waiting on the clouds.

This was probably a confusing week for my plants. I didn't water according to schedule because of the possibility of rain; no need to waste water. The soil was dry and even drier when nothing came from the skies. I would normally have watered to relieve stress on the plants, but the next day had an increased probability of precipitation so I waited. Alas, another day of nothing came and went. I relented and watered about four days past the typical schedule.

If your plants are strong and conditions aren't extreme, most can handle lack of normal water for a few days. Some plants actually strive in those conditions as they send out roots seeking more moisture. Some stop growth in an effort to hold the liquid that they have. And some may die or be stunted. This time of year when less water is needed for most plants as they begin to slow down their activity and enter dormancy, it's less damaging for plants to experience some dry days.

For all times of the year, it's important to check soil moisture and plant condition to determine if watering is actually necessary. In the summer, when temperatures can be high and humidity low, a few dry days may spell doom. That's why regular watering may be critical during times of stressful weather. I've noticed recently that the soil in some areas is staying moist between normally scheduled watering. Cooler temperatures mean less evaporation. If the soil doesn't need water, neither do the plants. That's one reason I was willing to wait for the rains.

I used to work with weather forecasters and understand that a 40 percent chance of precipitation means that 40 percent of the forecast area will receive it and 60 percent of the areas won't. It doesn't mean everybody has a probability of 40 percent. Sure enough, large sections of the city only 15 miles away received over half an inch or rain while we were dry.

It is a little annoying to modify a schedule based on a forecast, but more often than not it is an advantage. It's helpful to know when freezing conditions are coming. It's also nice knowing when a period of warm weather will allow for spring planting. During periods of weather unrest like spring and fall you just have to take it one day at a time. We have more possibility of precipitation in a few days, but my soil is dry and I'll water the plants today. If we get measureable levels of moisture next week I'll modify my schedule and hold back the hoses.

Gardening is an interactive task. Some times we can be proactive and often we have to be reactive. The possibilities help make it exciting. I'll continue to keep my eye on the skies, but I'll always keep my hands in the soil.

Colorado's Front Range is an arid region. Like most gardeners in this part of the country I look forward to rain clouds and the possibility of the gardens receiving a free, natural watering. Colorado Springs averages less than 18 total inches of precipitation each year; that includes moisture from both rain and snow. This week, the possibility of precipitation was in the forecast on three different days. My gardens received none.

A creature of habit, I water on a fairly consistent schedule. Different plants receive more or less depending on where they are and what they are, but the activity of watering occurs regularly. When the forecast includes a 40 percent chance of rain, or more, I'll modify my schedule and hold off until the storm passes. If water reaches the ground in an appreciable amount I may not have to supply supplemental irrigation for a day or two, or more. When the rains fail to appear, it may mean the plants need even more water because of the lost day waiting on the clouds.

This was probably a confusing week for my plants. I didn't water according to schedule because of the possibility of rain; no need to waste water. The soil was dry and even drier when nothing came from the skies. I would normally have watered to relieve stress on the plants, but the next day had an increased probability of precipitation so I waited. Alas, another day of nothing came and went. I relented and watered about four days past the typical schedule.

If your plants are strong and conditions aren't extreme, most can handle lack of normal water for a few days. Some plants actually strive in those conditions as they send out roots seeking more moisture. Some stop growth in an effort to hold the liquid that they have. And some may die or be stunted. This time of year when less water is needed for most plants as they begin to slow down their activity and enter dormancy, it's less damaging for plants to experience some dry days.

For all times of the year, it's important to check soil moisture and plant condition to determine if watering is actually necessary. In the summer, when temperatures can be high and humidity low, a few dry days may spell doom. That's why regular watering may be critical during times of stressful weather. I've noticed recently that the soil in some areas is staying moist between normally scheduled watering. Cooler temperatures mean less evaporation. If the soil doesn't need water, neither do the plants. That's one reason I was willing to wait for the rains.

I used to work with weather forecasters and understand that a 40 percent chance of precipitation means that 40 percent of the forecast area will receive it and 60 percent of the areas won't. It doesn't mean everybody has a probability of 40 percent. Sure enough, large sections of the city only 15 miles away received over half an inch or rain while we were dry.

It is a little annoying to modify a schedule based on a forecast, but more often than not it is an advantage. It's helpful to know when freezing conditions are coming. It's also nice knowing when a period of warm weather will allow for spring planting. During periods of weather unrest like spring and fall you just have to take it one day at a time. We have more possibility of precipitation in a few days, but my soil is dry and I'll water the plants today. If we get measureable levels of moisture next week I'll modify my schedule and hold back the hoses.

Gardening is an interactive task. Some times we can be proactive and often we have to be reactive. The possibilities help make it exciting. I'll continue to keep my eye on the skies, but I'll always keep my hands in the soil.