Summertime often means unpredictable storms throughout the days and weeks. Many years ago, before scientific advancements hit the foliar industry, growers and gardeners hypothesized that something about rainwater was good for their crops. While they may not have had substantiated evidence at that time, today, we now know that rainwater most certainly benefits plants, even more so than that of the water coming from the plant irrigation systems. The vital nutrients that rainwater is packed with play a significant role in building strength for harvests, allowing them to thrive and grow more rapidly. Seasoned growers now look forward to thunderstorms to bring in a new level of nutrients that helps their crops to maintain health.

Rainwater is created through the evaporation of inland bodies of water as well as oceans. This process involves the condensing of moisture, which collects sulfur and therefore aids in the formation of plant amino acids. In addition, rainwater is packed with nitrogen, which is a key component in chlorophyll. Chlorophyll is a mainstay in a crop’s ability to produce carbohydrates during photosynthesis. From a chemical process standpoint, once lightning strikes during a storm the nitrogen in the atmosphere combines with hydrogen. At this time, a vital fertilizer is created that is transferred by the rain to the soil, helping to build plant strength.

In addition, rainwater takes the dust that is living in air currents and carries it to the soil. These dust particles contain essential minerals and microorganisms that help the breakdown process of organic compounds into plant nutrients. On top of that, rainwater helps to flush salt from the soil that got there from municipal irrigation systems. The chemicals and salts present in the soil blocks the ability for adequate plant root growth. With the help of rainwater, the accumulated salts are washed away and plants are able to get the extra bit of irrigation that builds health tremendously.

While the benefits of rainwater are clear, it is important to recognize the alternative: tap water. Containing things like chlorine, salts, fluoride, and other types of chemical treatments, tap water can prove to be dangerous to plant health and plant growth. Plants can certainly tolerate tap water, however, crops of all kinds benefit from the many positive attributes of rainwater.