Rainy day inspiration

Today was meant to be a day off. I mean, it still was a day off, but I had planned to spend it in the garden. I had a list of lovely little jobs. You know the sort, very light, and interspersed with cups of tea jobs.

Moving some self-sown foxgloves. Photographing what’s out now for the records. I was hoping for Japanese anemones, dahlias. I even wondered if the crab-apples would photograph well. Unlikely, given that they so often look bruised by this time of year.

I cancelled it all. Downed tools. The rain was torrential. Biblical. Every time it stopped, it started again. Every time it started, I had to go and check the drain at the front to stop the water coming through the front door.

And so once I had packed all the orders I was going to pack, and I had recorded the very lovely weekly podcast with Becca, Stuart & Alexander, I resigned myself to rainy day activities.

Resigned maybe isn’t the right word. It’s been a bit of a blur recently, and I was jolly well going to make the most of nature’s hints at respite.

Kettle on, feet up. Here are my recommendations for rainy days.

Old school, diving into a book

I mean, my first port of call is always going to be Rivals (two days and counting until it comes out as a tv series) but in case you aren’t also someone who can plunge into a Jilly Cooper novel like a joyous otter a pool, then some sensible recommendation of books I’ve been loving recently.

The Well-Gardened Mind by Sue Stuart-Smith

For a more philosophical take on gardening, this book explores the connection between gardening and mental health. It's a thoughtful read that delves into how working with plants can help manage stress and boost well-being, something many gardeners will appreciate on a wet, gloomy day. If you’ve been around me for any time at all, you’ll know I believe there are limits to how much gardening can improve your mental health (slugs can destroy my mental equilibrium in seconds) but this is a hopeful book.

The Irish Bakery by Cherie Denham

Not quite a gardening book, but we’re all just killing time between the release of Winter Gardens and the publication of Pastoral Gardens, and Andrew Montgomery has just won an award for his book, The Irish Bakery. I would read a phone directory if it was photographed by AM and a rainy afternoon with an endless supply of tea looking at pictures of cake sounds like my idea of bliss.

(See also my addiction to Flora Shedden’s books.)

Compost by Charles Dowding

Charles Dowding’s book on compost has been on my must read list for a while now and this was a great moment to get started on it. The benefit to Charles’ books is that if actually turning the page seems like too much effort, you can always put his YouTube channel on autoplay and just let the expert knowledge wash over you.

Films & videos

And if you find yourself under a pile of blankets with a screen and you want a perfect blend of inspiration and stirring exhortation to act and the most soothing voice in horticulture, I have Joshua Sparkes and Huw Richards.

I don’t know if you have to be inside Substack to watch (it’s free, you just might have to create an account), but this is a long, deep dive, but absolutely fascinating interview between two of the most knowledgeable men in permaculture. Joshua has been pushing the boundaries for a while and it will blow your mind. In a good way, sort of in a good way. I’m never quite sure. You can always go back to Charles if it all feels a bit much.

 Podcasts

I always think that that the sweet spot between paper books and flickering screens is the podcast. Becca and I have been talking a lot about the benefits of audio (for the people with dyslexia and the dog-walkers). I have long been loyal to BBC Sounds, rather than podcasts (crime drama is my drug of choice) but I am starting to be more experimental.

Without wishing to theme this entire piece around men with mellifluous voices, now is the time to start the first few, rather autumnal chapters, of The Christmas Chronicles. Or, if you can bear to start with Season 2, there are some non-festive treats, just waiting to be devoured. Do not do this if you are either hungry or trying to cut down on sweet things. You’ll be baking after ten minutes. When I started this last last year, I found myself in the Monmouth Waitrose sweeping stollen into a basket like I was in a hypnotic trance.

One podcast I haven’t tried yet, but which is being mentioned by all the right people is Roots and All by Sarah Wilson. Definitely a bit more educational rather than relaxing, there are some really impressive experts on there. Including a recent episode with Jo Kirby, whose book ‘The Good Slug Guide’ has been on my pre-order list for a while.

The other thing about podcasts, is you can listen to them whilst you do useful, meaningful things, even on a rainy day. If you are simply not one of those people who can sit back and watch the drips from the eaves, then here are some of the things that you can do

In the shed

Sort and Clean Tools-

This is the perfect time to give your tools some TLC. Clean, sharpen, and oil your pruners, spades, and trowels to ensure they're in top condition for next year. Sorting your tools also gives you the opportunity to identify any that need replacing.

Wire wool and a squirt of WD40 is perfect for the bigger, digging pieces. If you are doing your snips and secateurs, I finally have some stock of Niwaki Camellia oil.

Organise your seed tin-

Use rainy days to sort through your seed packets, discard any that are past their best, and make a list of what you’ll need to order for spring. Now is a great time to decide what you’ll be planting next year, and you can also start stratifying seeds that require a cold period.

Sow the sweet peas-

Best done under cover, and with the radio on. I do start mine in the kitchen so you don’t even have to make it out to the greenhouse.

Plan your spring garden-

Grab a notepad, a cup of tea, and a stack of bulb catalogues. Consider which you want to plant, where they should go, and what colours you want to introduce. This thoughtful planning phase can pay off when the weather warms up again. Yes, I am promising no pink next spring; stained glass window colours only.

Capturing rainwater-

Adam Frost, a presenter on Gardeners' World and fellow Scribehound author, is a strong advocate for water conservation in gardens. He introduced me to the idea of using dipping tanks to capture rainwater. Neither ponds nor water butts, but big troughs and tanks that just fill up with rain but that you can use to dunk a watering can in as and when. (Yes, I’m wondering a little bit about mosquitos too.)

Adam suggests incorporating rainwater collection into all types of gardens, from small urban spaces to larger landscapes, emphasizing that every little bit helps in creating an eco-friendly environment. Of course, there is also an argument that watering with rainwater is much better for the soil because there isn’t the chlorine and so the microbiome is preserved. I’m thinking of putting a great big tank where the rain comes off the valley in the thatch and hopefully the house will be a bit dryer too.

Until then, I’d better go back outside and check the water isn’t coming in the front door.

One of Adam's dipping tanks