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Whidbey Island

After a fairly dry summer we had quite a bit of rain last night. I wanted to know how many gallons of water this represented, so I did the math. These conversions will help me determine how much additional water, if any, I might want to add to the patch. Obviously when it rains it is a bit cooler, less sunny and the vines won't need as much water, particularly as the days are shortening. But this is good info to remember. Those who get gully washers in the summer can really use this info to adjust their watering appropriately.

One tenth inch of rain over 1000 square feet is 62 gallons.
One quarter of an inch of rain over 1000 square feet is 155 gallons.
(I find it easier to remember the rounded numbers of 60 gallons and 150 gallons.)

The metric world has it much easier. Converting vertical rain over square meters into liters means just pushing the decimal point around. Anyone familiar with the metric system can do this is their head.

One milliliter of rain over 100 square meters is 100 liters.
One centimeter of rain over 100 square meters is 1000 liters.

9/8/2019 6:59:08 PM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

Thanks for the post and reminder. I try and remember that 1” of rain in my rain gauge is equal to 623 gallons per 1000 square feet.

We just had a small rainfall today, so I don’t need to water my plants for the day.

9/9/2019 8:23:43 PM

Cornelius, Oregon

Rain is always a treat this time of year. I always let those wild 3rd vines and nibblet pumpkins grow this time of year to act like buffers for the big ones if it looks like a rainy fall. Don't like wild swings in moisture levels with only the big keeper to absorb the changes.

9/10/2019 12:06:55 PM