HEAVY SPRING RAINS

SCOTT: Mike, B.J. Thomas comes to mind today…
MIKE: I know, that one, “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head.”
SCOTT: Bingo… we did discuss heavy rain damage to our lawns back in our very first Sylvania Advantage article. But, with the recent downpours and flooding, maybe we should talk about how it might affect our gardens and landscape?
MIKE: Too much rain can negatively impact our gardens. It can bring potential diseases, nutrient deficiencies, more pests, and other issues.
SCOTT: It seems like the recent spring seasons have been wet, only to have extremely dry summers.
MIKE: Scott, the wettest April on record in Northwest Ohio / Sylvania was in 2024, with 7.94 inches of rain. In second place, 7.13 inches in 1929. The third largest was in 2011, with 6.30 inches. But, in just the first week of this April we’ve measured 6.35 inches, a new third place record and still counting.
SCOTT: And with rain comes the lack of sunshine, which slows a plant’s growth and blossom quantities. Remember the west coast wild fires? That drifting smoke set our plants back about a month.
MIKE: There is no doubt that April showers do bring May flowers. However, with the number of recent rains, and, should they continue to be heavy through May, it sure will have a negative effect on our lawns and gardens.
SCOTT: So, what is affected? I imagine soil nutrients may be washed away. Mike, start us out on how to combat the excessive rain fall.
MIKE: Slow-release lawn fertilizers, that normally work for six to eight weeks, may only last four to five weeks. Ornamental and vegetable fertilizers lose their potency faster as well. Essential micro-nutrients such as calcium, manganese, and iron leach out of the soil, therefore, weakening the plants. They eventually become vulnerable to diseases and detrimental insects. Not to mention the strong possibility of causing vegetables to have fruit forming flowers fall off pre-maturely.
SCOTT: And, with the heavy rains, plus the flooding, young plants may struggle, with heavy moisture amounts even in raised beds.
MIKE: All of which brings the chances of blossom rot and blossom drop. This leads to far less fruit yield. To assist in maintaining and preventing flower fall, apply calcium. This helps to prevent blossom end rot. Apply a spray, called Rot Stop, to the vegetable flowers when the buds open. This will help to ensure the flower stays on long enough to pollinate.
Now, when it comes to your lawn, try using a supplement with the needed micro-nutrients. One brand that comes to mind is Milorganite. It’s low in N (Nitrogen), but a great source of calcium, iron, magnesium and a bunch of flushed out minerals. You could even use it in your garden, too! This will truly get rid of the anemic appearance due to heavy spring rains. Especially those who live in the sand riddled Oak Openings Region, basically SYLVANIA! 
SCOTT: Well, if raindrops are falling on your head, just like the guy whose feet are too big for his bed… put a hat on! 

Your Midwest Garden Podcast guys, Mike O’Rourke and Scott Sandstrom, will be sharing gardening advice and information with readers throughout the growing season. O’Rourke, retired from Black Diamond Garden Center and known as the Garden Guy for many years, discusses landscape issues with Sandstrom in a casual conversation designed to educate listeners, and now readers, on a wide variety of topics.