what to do on a rainy day?

​Rain is great for the garden (watering with the hose just isn’t the same!) but there has been a lot lately and it’s sometimes a bit frustrating as I can’t get as much done outdoors! I bet those of you with smaller gardens have finished planting your veggies and are enjoying a rest.  I’m jealous. I’m far from finishing the summer garden for two main reasons: (i) successive sowing and planting is great because you have a continuous supply of veggies but it also means that the garden is never complete; and (ii) in my opinion, it’s still too early to plant some things out such as watermelon, okra and snake beans.  I’m waiting for December for these heat-loving plants.

You may still be able to get some work done outside in between showers.  Depending on how much it is raining, the more general conditions (wind, temperature etc) and what tasks I need to do outside, I sometimes put on a raincoat and continue with my tasks.  If, like me, you still want to use time constructively to further your garden when you can’t be outdoors at all (eg if it’s raining torrentially), here are some ideas for indoor (or at least undercover) activities:

•          Planning – Now is a good time to make some lists of what you want to grow next season, any new plants you may want to add and any capital expenditure you might incur for additions to the garden
•          Ordering garden supplies – Stock up on seeds (Egmont, Kings Seeds and Franchi have an online shopping facility on their website), fertilisers (I often purchase from Gardn Gro, as they deliver direct to your door) and other products you need around the garden.
•          Sowing seeds – Since my heat pads are in the lounge, I always sow seeds indoors whether it’s raining or fine.  I work on an old bed sheet and bring the equipment I need (seed raising mix, punnets, incubators, labels, a marker and spray bottle filled with water) inside for the task
•          Potting up seedlings – Normally, I’m still able to do this outside without getting wet, so long as I sit underneath the eaves of our garage.  I always leave the garage door open while I’m working.  The garage doubles as our garden storage shed so everything I need is easily accessible.  I always sit on an old swimming kickboard and we keep potting mix in a stack just outside the garage, so I can access it without getting wet
•          Tidying the storage shed – our gardening supplies become rather jumbled in the garage, especially during spring when I’m very busy in the garden. When you can’t be outdoors, use the time to tidy and organise your materials
•          Blogging – Rainy days are perfect for working on your gardening blog, whether you’re taking part in the Yates Veggie Growing Challenge or not.  If the weather is terrible and I can’t be outside, I sometimes start drafting my post for the next day in advance (like this one!).  It’s also a good time to brainstorm ideas for future posts, so you don’t struggle to think of things to write about later on!
•          Gardening education – I hardly have any spare time to read gardening books and magazines, so I’m a bit grateful when the weather prevents me from being outside.  It’s also a great time to research any issues that have cropped up in your plot and fire off enquiries to the experts, such as Yates, who have given me excellent advice over the years
•          Caring for house plants – What better a time to pamper your house plants?  We only have one, a dancing lady orchid, yet I still somehow nearly managed to kill it.  The irony that I have a thriving flower and veggie garden outside, complete with a mini orchard, doesn’t escape me.  I have been feeding our plant weekly with Yates Brigitta Liquid Plant Food, which is formulated for orchids.  Hopefully this will help to revive it.
•          Updating your garden diary – If you’ve fallen a bit behind (it sometimes happens), spend some time updating your gardening records with the dates of seed sowings and other activities you have been doing outdoors.  I don’t record all my gardening activities (I’d like to note down the dates of plantings but just don’t have enough time for a garden this size), but I like to note the dates I plant potatoes so I know when they’ll be ready to be harvested.  It’s a good idea to check how long it takes for specific varieties to mature rather than relying on the appearance of flowers, as not all spuds flower.

​Today’s photo is of a strawberry smoothie that we have been having every day, using fresh strawberries from our garden.  Mum found the recipe in an old Weight Watchers magazine.  It tastes delicious!