by Connie Oswald Stofko
This spring we endured long, cold stretches of rain. Or snow. We couldn’t wait for dry, sunny days.
Summer finally arrived and brought those hot, dry days, but perhaps we’ve had more than you would like. Yesterday I waited for rain that never arrived.
Here are four reasons Western New York gardeners like rain in the summer:
- If it rains enough, we don’t have to water. While some gardeners enjoy the task of watering, others would rather have more time to sit back and admire their garden from a lawn chair.
- Precipitation will fill up our rain barrels. That means a lower water bill. Oh, and we’re helping to keep our waterways clean.
- Summer rain smells so good! That aroma even has a name: petrichor. That’s the pleasant smell of rain on warm, dry soil. I wish you could bottle it. Here’s the scientific explanation of why you can smell rain.
- Our weather in Western New York is changeable, and that’s what we’re used to. We’re so used to fluctuating weather that we can’t tolerate even pleasant weather for more than three days in a row. Sunny days with blue skies eventually make us impatient for something new. Like rain. That’s my theory, anyway.
Are you waiting for this stretch of sunny days to end?
Lesley, you have made my day! Thanks so much!
Hi Connie, Your observation that, “We’re so used to fluctuating weather that we can’t tolerate even pleasant weather for more than three days in a row,” made me roar with laughter— what unique creatures we Western New Yorkers are! I so look forward to your weekly newsletters and regularly patronize your advertisers. Thank you!