10/07/2026
Rain is in the forecast for West Tennessee this weekend. Tropical Storm Isaias is expected to strengthen into a hurricane before it hits the Gulf Coast Friday night, and the moisture will push inland. Forecasts are still shifting, so check NWS Memphis for the latest. If you farm, graze, garden, or keep horses, today and tomorrow are the days to get ready.
Here's the checklist we're working through on our own farm:
π΄ Horses and livestock: move them off low ground, make sure they have high, dry footing and shelter, and check fences and gates
πΎ Hay and feed: get bales up off the ground and under cover, because wet hay is lost hay
π° Water paths: clear culverts, ditches, and downspouts so the water has somewhere to go
β»οΈ Compost, manure, and bagged products: cover piles and raise bags off the ground so they don't wash out
π± Bare soil: mulch beds and cover exposed ground, because bare soil erodes first
One thing to hold off on: don't put fertilizer or any soil amendment down right before heavy rain. Whatever is sitting on the surface is likely to run off with the water. Wait until the ground drains.
After the rain, give fields and pasture time to dry out before you drive equipment or turn animals back out. Saturated soil compacts fast, and compacted soil sheds the next rain instead of absorbing it.
Healthy, biologically active soil holds its structure better under heavy rain, which is part of why we do what we do. But no soil beats a storm in one weekend, so prepare for the water now and protect the ground once it passes.
Stay safe, and check on your neighbors. π§οΈ