Can you put them under a grow light? that should help get them drier.

A good potting soil in a planter cannot be over watered. We had 60 inches of rain in a two month time and my hundreds of containers and even newly sown seeds were not damaged. All of my plants are potted in the same soilless mix used by commercial nurseries. Al

We're having the same conditions in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Absolutely drowning in rain since Tuesday and now it's Sunday. Over 10" so far. Can't get any work done outdoors at all and yesterday I had to bring in all my flats of annuals and hanging baskets because they were being pounded and drowned. And more to come. And then there's the basement....

Thanks, Three! Unfortunately, we have no grow lights -- no place for them and little inclination to start seeds inside. But I'm sure that's excellent advice and do thank you. I had already gone to buy a new basket and transplanted them into some much drier soil. They are now basking underneath a table lamp inside. :)

Al, I'd like to hear more about this "soiless mix". Not even being able to overwater would be fantastic. My planters are filled with Miracle Gro soil, which was so saturated that there was standing water I couldn't even drain off. Some of the nasturtium foliage has turned yellow, and they like it on the dry side. Your post is most interesting!!

Oh, Ginny, you have my sympathy! We haven't seen the sun in nearly a week...constant rain, cold and wind. They say it will ease up this Tue and Wed and then an identical cold front from Canada will settle on us again. We're in a mobile home, no room to bring things inside. I'm so glad that I wintersowed only a 12 jugs this year, most of which are transferred into pots now, but it's too early to plant out annuals here because of frost. So sorry for you and hope we both dry out soon. I think I'm growing mold on me.

We're in the same boat here in IL. It started raining Tue. and the ten day forcast going forward only has two dry days. I'm more worried about all the stuff I have that's ready to go into the ground. I don't know when the soil will be dry enough to plant in without becoming compacted.

Have you ever thought of the nurseries with all their containerized stock out in the open with no rain protection? The mix they use is composed of ground bark(called "forest products")course sand, and volcanic rock(similar to perlite). A fertilizer with a life of about 3 months is added. I can buy from my landscape supply 10 different mixes, tailored to the type plants being grown, but this is the #1 Nursery Mix used for general planting in nursery pots. I have never tried a garden center bagged mix that would drain well enough for my use. Al

most hanging baskets have an attached tray on the bottom.. to retain a puddle of water ...

since you dont want to retain the puddle .. take it off .. most are designed to 'snap' on and off ...then excess water drains right out ... i see no need to 'dry' the soil.. as one of my basic tenets in the garden is that we do more harm with too much love ... so let it take care of itself ... perhaps if you can hang it in the garage, or under an eave to prevent more rain ... but frankly any attempt at drying the soil.. will probably do more harm than good ....

good luck ... ken

You do have holes in the bottom of the pots right?? Your post reminds me of my sisters problem a few years ago....she wanted to transplant her flowers due to soaked pots also....i told her not to and that they would be fine....a week later they were dead when i went over there....due to flooded pots without holes:)
Just wanted to be sure ya have the holes in them :)

Much appreciated information! Yes, it was in a hanging basket...and no, the tray had not been removed from the bottom. Duh. But I didn't try to dry the soil, just transplanted them into a new faux coconut lined wire basket and in new soil. Hope this one will drain and might look into punching some holes to make sure it does. A number of the leaves have yellowed, but others are still growing well, so I'm hoping. Thanks very much for the kindness!