Greene Thumb: Rain, Rain, Don't Go Away

This year looks to be a tough one for city gardens—today's heavy rain showers notwithstanding.

With little to no snowfall this winter and a historically warm and dry early spring, farmers and gardeners across the Northeast are prepping to keep vulnerable plants, trees and bushes hydrated through the summer.

Courtesy of GrowNYC comes these helpful hints on conserving rainwater (better get those buckets ready!):

• Soil Prep. Be sure to add organic material—peat moss and compost are a good start—to soil so that it better retains moisture. And don't let the recent spring rains scare you away—the best time to do this, says GrowNYC, is when the soil is moist.

• Mulch. A layer of mulch can cut down on evaporation significantly. Most mulches containing wood chips, hay or compost are easy to apply and have the added benefit of preventing weeds.

• Raincatcher. Here's where those buckets are going to come in handy. Just remember to cover these containers after a rain event to ensure that mosquitos do not breed in the stagnant water.

• Water Restrictions. Remember the following guidelines that will be put in place even in a non-emergency drought event: No hydrant water  allowed without a DEP permit, watering of gardens with a hose prohibited between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. and no automatic sprinklers without a rain sensor. So be prepared!