On a recent bright sunny morning, we were getting some chores done around the house and outside in our pool area. It was sunny and it was hot. No clouds in sight. As midday approached the sun only got stronger. And then with the morning behind us, it was just about time to head downtown for violin lessons. Madeleine looks up and says, “I think we should bring our umbrellas.”

“We don’t need umbrellas, honey, there isn’t a cloud in the sky,” is not what we should have said. Instead, we should have listened to Maddy, because just as soon as we arrived in downtown Tampa, the sky turned black, thunder boomed, and an intense downpour began. I don’t know if she felt it in her bones or what kind of premonition she had, but she sure was right.

Of course, predicting rain in the summer in Florida isn’t that risky. You’re bound to be right 50% of the time. That sure has been true over the last couple of weeks. Sometimes it’s been in the morning, sometimes it’s been in the evening, and a few times it’s lasted almost all day long. With that in mind, this Teaching Thursday article has information about what to do for your plants when there is this much rain. It’s the time of year where fungus rears its ugly head, and we want to make sure you are ready to face it.

And since it is hot and rainy a lot of the time, it’s the perfect time to take gardening indoors with houseplants. When you can’t get out in the garden, bring the garden inside. No umbrella needed.