I talked with my husband in Ohio and it is still raining, and quite cool. He heard the farmers have only a small fraction of their fields planted with the corn crop. People aren’t able to keep up with the mowing either, although that is a lesser problem.
There are a number of problems for plants in wet, saturated ground. One problem is that roots need air to breathe and will actually drown when unable to dry out a little.
Another situation which arises from too much wet is the sappy growth of the stems and leaves. These can be inviting to insects in this vulnerable condition. Increased susceptibility to disease follows.
Such weather can be a challenge to our gardens on multiple fronts.
Usually we attempt prevention by providing good drainage. Hoping the water will run off, and preserving the general health of the plants is about all that can be done. Otherwise, just watch and wait.
In Ohio, we can still get plants in at this time and they will establish before the midsummer heat. I usually think of the last week in June as the very end of the season for planting annuals and new plants.
When I get back home I will be putting together some container pots for summer color.
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© 2010 written for Ilona’s Garden Journal. An excellent blog.
