Soggy days are just what we needed on Delmarva
Chilly, gloomy, and soggy. For most, this wouldn’t be the definition of a great forecast. But for the health of vegetation, including flower beds and gardens, the recent soaking rains and cool days have been exactly what was needed!
Moderate, soaking rains are best
Recent rain events on Delmarva have been true soakers, with prolonged periods of moderate rain followed by cool and cloudy conditions. The gloomy nature of these types of rains is perfect for plants. A moderate rainfall is optimal for plant health as it penetrates the surface and soaks through the ground and reaches the roots below. A lighter rain only penetrates the top layer of the soil, while a heavy rain can lead to run-off with limited soil absorption. As rainwater is naturally acidic, it brings vital nutrients and oxygen to vegetation, and the soaking benefits of a moderate rainfall allow the rainwater to reach the entire root system. And a prolonged soaking rain can create a stable cool layer above the ground that promotes residual low clouds. This works as a deterrent against accelerated evaporation of the topsoil, something that becomes more common in the hotter months when the sun can cause quicker drying of the soil after a rainfall.
Drought busters!
An added benefit of the recent moderate, soaking rains – aside from the obvious – is that it’s the best type of rain to combat prolonged drought. We know that much of the rainwater soaks into the deeper parts of the soil to directly benefit the full root system of vegetation. But when the rainwater is able to make it well below the surface, it can continue its trek downward into the groundwater system. This system is critical to supplement streams and tributaries during dry periods, but a healthy groundwater supply also in part encourages deeper root growth which can make plants more durable during dry periods and even drought.
And while we’re on the topic of drought, our April rainfall has already surpassed the monthly average in the Salisbury area. This is now the 3rd month in a row that we have received a surplus of precipitation. While the deficit in 2024 was partially from a late spring drought, much of it occurred in the fall.
Salisbury precipitation (Salisbury Apt.)
2024 36.27″ (47.49″) -11.22″
January 1.54″ (3.51″) -1.97″
February 4.23″ (3.25″) +0.98″
March 5.79″ (4.17″) +1.62″
*April 3.61″ (3.42″) +0.19″
*as of April 13th
Despite this carrying over into the new year, the above average precipitation comes at an optimal time of the year – when soaking rains and low evaporation are most prevalent. Even though we statistically haven’t made up for the deficit from this past fall, the further we get from that time period with continued sustained wet periods, the effects of the drought will gradually lessen.
