Totnes Gardening in the Rain
Why on Earth Would You Want to Try Gardening in the Rain?
Written By Kevin Hare | Updated: 6 Feb 2026
It’s a perfectly reasonable question.
But, daft as Kevin@totnesgardening.co.uk may seem, there are a surprising number of benefits if you’re prepared to brave the elements.
As I write this on February 6th, 2026, the Met Office has confirmed a record-breaker: rain has fallen every single day of the year so far across the South West. According to ITV News, there is "no end in sight." We have now endured over 37 consecutive days of downpours—a start to the year that has left our Totnes clay truly saturated.
As our South West climate tends towards 'rainy', getting outside on drizzly days will enable you to get a huge amount more done in the garden. Plus, cloudy weather makes for cooler air, which is always a relief for hardworking gardeners. The damp keeps away most insects and, of course, the rain waters your plants for you. So grab your coat, and get outside!
🌊 The Storm, The Coast, and Your Sanctuary
"I’m overwhelmed by the views on my Slapton footage! It’s clear we all care deeply about our local landscape. But while the coast looks after itself, our gardens need a helping hand."
Living in the South Hams means living with the weather. The same systems like #StormChandra that battered the A379 "Slapton Line" this month can wreak havoc closer to home. Thank you to the 16,000+ locals who watched my coverage as the road finally gave way. While nature is powerful to watch, it shouldn't be destructive to your peace of mind.
If the recent high winds brought down fences, scattered debris, or damaged trees on your property, I am here to help. I am currently prioritizing Storm Damage & Garden Rescue jobs in Totnes and the surrounding South Hams.
Fallen branches & debris clearance
Fence stabilization & repair
Ethical green waste removal (Licensed Carrier: CBDL612576)
Why choose us? We use battery-powered equipment. After the noise of the storm, the last thing you want is the roar of a petrol chainsaw. We clean up quietly.
Gardening in the Rain: A Complete Guide
What Can You Do In the Rain?
Planting. One common concern that puts people off gardening when it’s wet is whether you can really plant in the rain. In actual fact, it’s fine - as long as there’s no standing water. Just use a pot, or place in the garden, that has good drainage. For new seedlings, planting in the rain can be of great benefit since you don’t have to worry about watering them.
Feeding. As well as sitting back and making the most of the rain watering your plants for you, you can take the opportunity to feed them too. Get out there with your fertiliser and sprinkle around the base of each plant. The rain will then help it to run straight into the roots for maximum uptake.
Harvesting. Some fruiting plants and vegetables love wet weather, and will produce lots of great crops for you to harvest. So while the season is rainy, it’s the perfect time for picking salad plants like lettuce and watercress, or herbs like mint.
What Can You Do After the Rain?
Weeding. Just after a good downpour is the perfect time to get your weeding done. Heavy rainfall means damp soil, which loosens up the weeds' roots, making them much easier to extract. This is particularly useful for weeds which are notoriously difficult to remove, such as dandelions and those with taproots. It’s much better to get taproots out while the soil is wet so that all the offshoot roots also slide from the earth, since if they break off they can regrow into new plants.
Edging. If you’ve ever tried to neaten up the borders of your lawn, you’ll know it can be a challenge to dig a crisp edge in the turf. Garden edging - usually plastic or metal strips - are the best solution for maintaining a trim border, and just after a rainy day is the time to install it. Just like with weeding, the damp soil is your friend here. It’s much easier to shape with a spade or trowel, and the edging pins will sink into the ground much more freely.
Tidying. Though rain is of course essential to a healthy garden, it can also leave a few problems in its wake. When you go outside after a downpour, look for anything that’s been washed out of place, particularly soil or fertiliser. Make sure you turn the compost heap too, if it’s an open one, to help with the air circulation and prevent it getting waterlogged.
How Can You Prepare?
Not all parts of your garden are going to appreciate a real British deluge, so it’s best to be prepared. If you’ve just planted seeds they may be vulnerable, but simply covering them with a plastic cloche or sheeting should shelter them from the worst of the weather. If you have fragile plants in pots, an easy alternative is just to bring them inside while the weather is bad. In 2026, with the sun hidden behind clouds for weeks, remember to also deep-clean your greenhouse glass. Light is at a premium right now, and every bit counts for your early seedlings to survive this record-breaking gloom.
What to Wear and Useful Kit
Gardening can be mucky, and never more so than when it’s pouring outside. But don’t let that put you off - with the right clothing you can easily stay warm and dry. Obviously a raincoat is a must. But it’s also worth investing in a pair of waterproof trousers if you’re going to be outdoors for a while, as normal materials will quickly become soaked through and weigh you down. You’ll want something to cover your head, but a waterproof hat is actually better than a hood for gardening since it allows for more flexible neck movement as you’re working outside. For your feet, walking boots are generally more practical than wellies. They're lighter and don’t restrict your ankles, which makes it much easier for trampling through undergrowth and flowerbeds. Just make sure to check if your boots need spraying with a waterproofing agent first.
Useful Kit to Cope with the Showers:
Greenhouse. Although more of an investment, a greenhouse will offer a permanent sheltered spot for gardening in a downpour. You’ll be able to get on with potting and planting seeds whenever the weather decides to turn.
Garden track. One of the best ways to deal with the muddy ground rainfall causes is some garden track. This is a plastic roll out path that provides a solid surface to ensure you don’t slip over on the wet lawn, and is especially useful for stopping wheelbarrows sinking into sodden earth.
The "Lifesaver" Response
So I hope some of these ideas have inspired you to not be downcast the next time the clouds appear on your gardening day. As we’ve seen, there are always a few bits and pieces you can crack on with in the wet weather, and even some benefits that the rain brings. It’s a garden essential.
However, if this relentless 2026 washout has left your plot looking more like a swamp than a sanctuary, don't panic. I specialise in "Lifesaver" clearances and horticultural management. I provide professional care starting from £35/hr, working in "Quiet Mode" so you can keep your peace while I tackle the mud.
And if all else fails, stay inside, put your feet up and enjoy a nice cup of tea. After all, you've been out working hard in the garden all year…
[Contact Kevin: kevin@totnesgardening.co.uk | 07935 721172] ♻️ Registered Waste Carrier: CBDL612576 | Fully Insured
