Is there something about rain?

B3

A little rain makes a lot  more difference to the growth of plants than a good hosing.  Is there something in or missing from the rain  or is it that a larger soil area around a plant gets soaked?

MrMow

It's whats in the rain water, it brings down nutrients. but this year we have seen very little.

we have some very large lime trees nearby and a lot of the leafs look droopy.

B3

We're getting a reasonable amount of soft rain. It won't get down to anything with deep roots but the annuals and grass  are  benefiting

Lyn

We’ve had quite a good bit of rain lately,  the butts are full again.
Never had to use a hose pipe. 
Even when I used to do 50 tubs,  25 baskets  and several  flower pots I never used the hose.  Did save the bath water one year though. 

Fire

We’ve had this discussion before… 

Lyn

No probs,  we can have it again,  me and OH have the same conversations most days of the week. 

B3

I thought maybe but I'm afraid I haven't got your powers of recall @Fire😕

Lyn

Me neither B 

Nanny Beach

It's not just the "ingredients" because I have 6 water butts, exactly the same water. But the rain falls everywhere for longer than you water. We've had fine rain most of the day,water butts full.

Fairygirl

Same here @Lyn. Today's been quite dry - only a couple of decent showers. That's barbecue weather in the west of Scotland 
Rain gathers nutrients from the air as it falls, as @MrMow indicates. Half an hour of even quite light rain will do far more good than standing with a sprinkler for the same amount of time, and most folk wouldn't stand in the same place for that time, let alone do all their planted areas. Many people underestimate the amount of water that comes out of the sky during a spell of rain, compared to 'hand' watering. 
Rarely have to water pots here either, and it would be very rare in spring, but I grow sweet peas and they need a lot, especially once the foliage gets going and can block it. Good rainfall is great for them during summer. I'm hoping we don't have that horrible dry summer here that we had last year   

Lyn

Absolutely agree @Fairygirl. My dad said to me that if I’m going to water the garden I need to stand there all night or I will do more harm that good.  The roots will come to the top half inch of soil you’ve watered,  if you don’t water, the roots will go down to find it. 
Tubs and baskets are different though, they do need watering every night. 
Im not doing that this year, need to get some order into what I’ve already got.