Planting in wet weather

paulbaxendale4813wtYe2ly · December 2023

Hi Just this really can you plant shrubs in the rain or when it's been raining . Apart from the fact that it's not very pleasant is there a reason why it's best not to.

Hostafan1 · December 2023

Wet,is ok. Waterlogged isn't.

AnniD · December 2023

Unless the ground is absolutely sodden, l can't see any reason why you can't plant them.
What sort of shrubs are you thinking of ?

JennyJ · December 2023

It's certainly fine if your soil is sandy and well-drained. I don't think I'd be wanting to walk on heavier clay soil when it's very wet, but if there's a path that you can work from it's probably OK.

paulbaxendale4813wtYe2ly · December 2023

Thanks theres no standing water but the soil is definitely wet it's been raining since July ( well almost ).

I've got the plants a pyracantha that I bought yesterday and a honeysuckle that I got a while ago and is outside hardening off.

Looking at the bbc weather app it doesn't look like we will have dry weather any time soon.

AnniD · December 2023

Unless your soil is really heavy clay the pyracantha should be fine. They are tough as old boots.

The honeysuckle should be ok as per the advice given on the other thread, but the weather forecast seems to be for possible colder weather and maybe snow from the middle of next week depending on your location of course.

paulbaxendale4813wtYe2ly · December 2023

Thanks Anni just had a quick look at the weather forecast and it looks like we might get some sunny weather starting a week on Monday here but might be frosty like you say at night.

Fairygirl · December 2023

It isn't a problem at all. If your soil is clay, then you should really improve the drainage and structure before planting anything, but many plants - especially trees or shrubs, are perfectly fine. I often plant in very wet spells [pretty normal here] as it saves watering in!
You would only avoid doing it if the ground is waterlogged, simply because it's hard work to dig holes in clay, and planting in frozen ground should be avoided for obvious reasons. Neither of the two you mention will mind, especially honeysuckle, but make sure the site is right, and add some extra organic matter into the soil you take out before planting and filling in. I've often planted pyracantha in quite unfavourable ground without any problem. It's all heavy clay here.

AnniD · December 2023

I was more concerned about the honeysuckle @Fairygirl, as Paul has been keeping it in his house for a while.

https://forum.gardenersworld.com/discussion/1079062/should-i-plant-this-out-now#latest

As @Busy-Lizzie said, it really needs hardening off, but l was a bit worried that if the weather turns colder which it's forecast to do, then it really would struggle with the shock even if it had been outside for at least a week to acclimatise.

Fairygirl · December 2023

Ah - I hadn't seen that @AnniD. The big mistake was bringing it inside to start with. It should have been outside.
They cope with all sorts and I wouldn't worry too much about hardening off just now as long as basics are followed. However, out during the day, and only brought in overnight if temps are low enough for frosts/ice, for around a week depending on location, will be fine. It can then be left in a sheltered spot just to keep it from being blown around - in among other shrubs is always good as it protects from rough weather, but it could also be planted if there's no severe weather likely for a while.
Far easier than in the pot

I should have added that I'm assuming the pyracantha is a decent sized, healthy specimen in a larger pot and not a tiny one that's just been potted on in recent months. I wouldn't plant out anything new unless it's in a 6 inch pot or bigger, unless it's something I've been growing on myself and is well adjusted to my site

paulbaxendale4813wtYe2ly · December 2023

Thanks Fairy the pyracantha is about 4 ft tall and looks healthy enough. I've been looking at it in the GC for about 4 months and succumbed to temptations the other day. It only cost £8 which I thought was a bargain.

Planting in wet weather

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