3 Reasons Why Every Garden Needs a Rain Gauge

February 13, 2025

Have you ever wondered if your plants are getting enough water? If the answer is yes, then a rain gauge could be the missing piece of your gardening puzzle.

A rain gauge is a weather monitoring tool that measures rainfall in a specific area over a period of time. Water is collected in a container with measurements displayed on the outside, usually in millimetres. Rain gauges are widely used by meteorologists, hydrologists and gardeners.

Monitoring rainfall is an often overlooked, yet essential, part of ensuring you are creating a healthy and thriving outdoor space, whether it’s your allotment, garden, or smallholding. Here are 3 reasons why rain gauges are an essential tool for gardening and how installing one can help you maximise your outdoor space:

Prevents Overwatering and Underwatering:

Without accurately monitoring rainfall, it can be difficult for gardeners to determine how much water and moisture their plants, crops and grass have recently received. This often leads to gardeners having to guess how much water their outdoor space requires, which can result in overwatering, just to 'be on the safe side'. Equally, some rain showers can feel significant but can leave our plants drier than we might expect, especially on windy days when the rain can be blown off course before it reaches the plants, resulting in underwatering.

Over and underwatering can have a large impact on plant and crop health; monitoring rainfall levels accurately with a rain gauge helps to prevent plant stress caused by too much or too little water, reducing issues such as shallow roots, lack of plant and crop growth and wilting leaves, or root rot at the other end of the spectrum.

Promotes Water Conservation:

The term water conservation means that you are using water more efficiently and reducing any unnecessary water waste. When it comes to gardening, water conservation includes various strategies such as:

Using a rain gauge to track rainfall and avoid overwatering.
Watering at optimum times, either early morning or late evening to prevent water loss due to evaporation.
Collecting rainwater to use to rewater your plants at later date, whether it’s rainwater you’ve collected in your rain gauge or in a water tank for irrigation.

Knowing how much rain your garden is receiving allows you to adjust your watering schedule to suit the needs of your outdoor space. For those wanting to practice eco-friendly sustainable gardening, water conservation is an absolute must.

Helps with Seasonal Planning and Garden Health:

Measuring rainfall overtime gives you valuable insights into seasonal weather patterns, helping you better plan for months that are naturally drier, or experience higher rainfall. Using a rain gauge and tracking rainfall with a rainfall chart can help you develop your gardening strategy, which, depending on your microclimate, may mean switching to more drought resistant plants during the drier seasons or applying mulch to retain moisture. Conversely, it could mean refraining from watering your plants or choosing plants that thrive in wet conditions.

Measuring your garden's rainfall allows you to get to know your garden better, and visually understand what impact rainfall has on your outdoor space.

ClimeMET Rain Gauge and Rainfall Chart CM1088

In summary, rain gauges enable those who use them to take a proactive approach to maintaining the health of their outdoor space, whether that is by modifying their watering habits, adapting their garden maintenance tasks such as mulching, or choosing the best plants for their microclimate. This knowledge is key to improving overall plant health.

FAQs:

Why should I measure rainfall in my garden?
Measuring rainfall helps you track how much water your plants are getting naturally. It also indicates to you when additional watering might be needed. This can help conserve water, save money, and ensure your plants stay healthy.

How do I measure the amount of rainfall in my garden?
At the same time each day, check the amount of rain collected in your rain gauge, record it on a rainfall chart and empty your rain gauge. Rain gauges typically have measurements in millimetres or inches.

What if my rain gauge is overfilled?
If the rain gauge is overfilled due to heavy rainfall, it may not be able to measure accurately. Some gauges come with a secondary collection container or an overflow mark to indicate when it’s full. During heavy rainfall, you can increase the frequency of emptying your rain gauge.

What are the common mistakes to avoid when measuring rainfall?
Ensure the rain gauge is not obstructed by surrounding structures or debris. Avoid using a rain gauge that’s too small, which may not capture enough water. Also, be mindful of wind, which can skew measurements by blowing water out of the gauge or causing splash back. Be sure to refer to your rain gauge instruction manual for optimal instrument placement.

How does measuring rainfall help my garden?
Measuring rainfall helps you know how much natural water your garden is receiving. It allows you to adjust your watering schedule and helps conserve water during dry periods. It can also help you determine whether your garden is getting too much water, potentially preventing issues like root rot.