So...it's raining...and raining...and raining. There is some pretty neat rain gear out there. I recently saw ladybug rain boots, giraffe boots and even shark rain boots! Now you can't wear those on a hot, sunny day...that's stylin'!

What do gardeners do when it's raining? They work and dream about gardening, and cook and dream about gardening; work on the car and dream about gardening, and sharpen their hoes and dream about gardening and clean and dream about gardening! They even contemplate what to do about their dandelions while dreaming about gardening. This is actually a great opportunity to organize flower beds, see what perennials survived the winter, yank weeds out of the soft earth, and pick up your soil to top up the beds....you should always top up your flower and vegetable plots every year so it doesn't become a "big" job. Don't forget to ask for the 4-part mix...it's the best.

If you've planted some things, check them out. They may be getting water-logged. If they are sitting in very wet conditions you may have to dig them up and move them, or repot them, or create drainage. If they are getting yellow, that's too much water and it's a warning flag that they are in distress. Left too long in that condition and they will die. It's inconvenient for sure, but necessary if this rain continues for the 5-6 days that's been forecasted.

If your plants are still in the shed/garage, remember they can't stay there longer than 12 hours at a time. Living plants need air and light to survive, even if they are shade plants. As dreadful as it is, you must bring those plants in and out until planted. They will enjoy a little rain but once soaked, they need to go under an overhang, under the patio table or where they won't continue to be pelted by rain during the day and only...I repeat...and only returned to their dungeon home of the shed/garage IF a frost warning has been given...and that's only been two times since May 1st. They want to be outdoors; they want to be in the sun and the breeze, and they will get sick if they don't get enough.

A U of M study showed that the average last frost date on any given year at the airport was May 23. By May 31 the risk of frost is still at 25% and is still 10% by June 5th. So spring is not late this year. Everything is as usual. It's people who seem to want to get planting earlier and earlier every year.

I spoke to a market gardener today, from Portage la Prairie. He wasn't affected by flooding and yet his land is full of water, just saturated from last year's rain and now this year's. His garden, among others in the area, provide the fresh vegetables and some of the fruits the rest of us enjoy throughout the year. This is his 4th year of not being able to get on the land and he's had to scramble for other work to feed his family while his machinery begins to rust and his field will later turn to weeds. Hard times for many people in our province.

About those snazzy rain boots I mentioned in the beginning, don't forget to use them for planters when their rainy days are over.

And about those dandelions.....have I got a story for you...hopefully in our next blog.

L & E