I started growing plants ~8 months ago as a mental health activity after recovering from long covid and because it would make me happy to grow things and play in the dirt. I had seeds, potting soil, and solo cups, but no knowledge. I lurked on this sub since then and have learned a ton — THANK YOU! I murdered my share of seedlings, but finally got a good low-budget garden going with productive pepper plants, herbs, and tomatoes.
Then it flooded 3 days ago (I had moved the plants under the overhang to avoid the torrential rain and hail). I like to think of the 8 inches of water surrounding them as "bottom watering", but I know better. Nothing else I can do but put them in the sun to dry out, fertilize after they dry, and just hope.
by circumpolar_current
7 Comments
Flood waters can contain many contaminants. I would not be comfortable eating food from plants that were flooded like this, especially in fabric grow bags
Oh gosh đ Iâm so sorry
I had torrential rain flood plants a couple of years ago and my biggest mistake was not getting the grow bags elevated and drying out. Root rot set in and i lost most of my plants. It was super frustrating for the whole rest of the season while i tried my best to avoid all the excellent harvest and flourishing garden posts. I’d skip the fertilizer until you know how they are reacting to the flooding.
we’d gladly take most of that rain………………if only it worked that way
I bet you’ll be fine. Lots of those plants look established and those grow bags dry out so quick if there’s no more rain and warm weather. If they’re outside on concrete or wood, try to keep moving them around so they’re sitting on dry patches in the sun as often as possible.
If it gives you any hope I had part of my in ground tomato/pepper patch flood one year. The tomatoes had rain rising up the stalks for several hours minimum, and the ground had standing water for probably 18 hours or more and every plant was just fine. The ground was water logged for days after. Dahlia bulbs and zinnias were in containers before going in the ground, also sitting in water and they were fine too. Hoping that everything pulls through for ya.
First, I am so sorry youâve experienced such bad flooding, both in the garden and in your house. Thatâs so crappy, and it can feel so defeating on top of everything else. I hope everyone is okay, or doing as well as can be expected under the circumstances. I hope for a safe drying-out soon!!
Second: Your plants look great and fairly well-established, so Iâm also fairly optimistic theyâll pull through, especially the tomatoes and peppers. Mine have been subjected to flooding as well, but thatâs what made me so happy to have grow bags: they dry out pretty quickly, especially dark ones. A few hours in an elevated area once the sun came out had them looking soo much better, like the tomato plants nearly doubled in size the next week. Unfortunately, the suddenness of the sun+heat after that caused some blossom end rot problems, but please donât be discouraged if that happens!! Might take a bit of time to grow past their âswimâ, but thereâs still another several months of a growing season, and with tomato plants you really can snip off branches and jam them directly into soil and they will grow a whole plant from that.
I hope for a slowing of the rain and some sunlight to head your way very soon!! đ©·
As long as the waters recede honestly grow bags are probably uniquely well suited to drying out quickly after a full drenching.