I am using a iOS app called 'Storm', which gives notification when lightening is detected in the area. I just got an alert saying that lightening was detected within 13 miles of Chiang Mai, so touch wood.

 

Here is the link for the app if you are interested:

 

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/wu-storm/id955957721?mt=8

 

Looking at the Thai Meteorological Department radar site, there appears to be a line of thunderstorms running between Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son, so that is good news.

 

http://weather.tmd.go.th/lmp.php

On 29/03/2018 at 11:04 AM, XGM said:

Again, we already had 2-3 days of rain this month. So by your definition we are at the rainy season. I don't know how that helps EricTh's grass situation though.

 

Second question is how do you determine 4-6 weeks for ground saturation? Perhaps it is 2-3 weeks?

I think these showers may be what the locals call "mango rains", which always pop up at this time of year and then go away until the SW monsoon prevails and rainy season begins in earnest around early May.

3 hours ago, Sparkles said:

Fertiliser helps as the soil here is lacking in nutrients especially if your place is built on fill.In my commercial nursery back in Oz chook poo in pellet form was my choice as high in nitrogen.You will get very little growth until the rain comes its basically aholding period

 

You could also a use liquid fertiliser, mixed with water, and applied with a large watering can.

 

A large 30 kg bag of chook poo in pellet form costs around 300 baht and I apply to lawn and plants when the rains come,not before.

 

1 bag does 12 mths but quite a small garden.

 

Thunderstorms are forecast for today and tomorrow. nothing like natural water falling from the sky for growth

I buy a 50 kg bag of 16-16-16 every year and I spread it around the garden about three times each year, it costs me about 850 baht. To be honest I don't know why I do that other than to make me feel good because the grass doesn't really need it hence I'm probably wasting my time and my money. The best thing I can do and the thing I really need is to improve soil quality so letting the leaves remain in place and rot each year helps, as does adding a thick layer of coconut husk pieces to all the beds twice a year - I go through 12 very large bags of husks twice a year, 80 baht a bag at JJ's market.

27 minutes ago, bubba said:

I think these showers may be what the locals call "mango rains", which always pop up at this time of year and then go away until the SW monsoon prevails and rainy season begins in earnest around early May.

You may be right but the wind and weather maps are all starting to point to winds from the SW, early I know.

It rained last night. My grass are greener this morning...

On 3/28/2018 at 9:01 PM, simoh1490 said:

I define the beginning of the rainy season as when it first starts to rain. Historically, the period through April is bone dry so when there's one day of rain, others will almost certainly follow, as your five day charts confirm.

Actually, it usually rains at least one day during Songran and then goes back to being dry until closer to May. It happens almost every year.

1 minute ago, Ulysses G. said:

Actually, it usually rains at least one day during Songran and then goes back to being dry until closer to May. It happens almost every year.

It's been raining in Mae Rim for much of the night, we might be in for an odd year. 

2 minutes ago, simoh1490 said:

It's been raining in Mae Rim for much of the night, we might be in for an odd year. 

To me, that is a good thing. I have never gotten used to the heat at this type of year. Rain cools everything down.

28 minutes ago, simoh1490 said:

It's been raining in Mae Rim for much of the night, we might be in for an odd year. 

Not so odd; I flew back to Thailand one year (first week of April). It was Thai Airways and after finding out where I lived the air hostess got out the Thai newspaper to show me pics of flooding in Chiang Mai !! I remember it was the first week of April and landing at Chiang mai, everything was completely green !!

35 minutes ago, Ulysses G. said:

To me, that is a good thing. I have never gotten used to the heat at this type of year. Rain cools everything down.

yesterday night was cool and good for sleeping

Unfortunately the rain in Mae Rim was very localised. Nothing up near Sala Cafe....but it was a bit cooler.

 

Mangoes are growing fast. Bumper season methinks.

There is a summer storm warning in today's Bangkok Post.

 

We can expect storms in CM from Friday onwards.

 

I hope this continues until Songkran.

On ‎3‎/‎31‎/‎2018 at 2:41 PM, simoh1490 said:

I buy a 50 kg bag of 16-16-16 every year and I spread it around the garden about three times each year, it costs me about 850 baht. To be honest I don't know why I do that other than to make me feel good because the grass doesn't really need it hence I'm probably wasting my time and my money. The best thing I can do and the thing I really need is to improve soil quality so letting the leaves remain in place and rot each year helps, as does adding a thick layer of coconut husk pieces to all the beds twice a year - I go through 12 very large bags of husks twice a year, 80 baht a bag at JJ's market.

Nothing better than a compost heap as well.All grass clippings,leaves,kitchen vegetable waste,single sheets of newspaper, virtually anything goes in ours. Keep it moist and the earth worms come in and break it all down, spread around garden plants and veg garden if you have one.

Most soil mix here in bags is rubbish. Rice husks seem to be the main component

1 hour ago, EricTh said:

There is a summer storm warning in today's Bangkok Post.

 

We can expect storms in CM from Friday onwards.

 

I hope this continues until Songkran.

I wouldnt rely too much on weather forecasting here.Thunderstorns were forecast by Accuweather for last night .In Hang Dong not a rumble or a single drop of rain.As CM kiwi said its localised at this time of the year

A lot of wind last night but no much rain.

 

@EricTh: the combination of heat and clear sky (strong sun radiation) is hard on the lawn. In addition to more frequent (or any..) watering, any shading can help. If the lawn is subject to direct sunlight for most hours during the day, you can just spread a shade net on top during say 11:00 - 15:00. Naturally tricky to do with large areas.

Enough rain last night to make everything wet and lots of cool breezes. Made for a great nights sleep. Big downpours in Mae Taeng and Sanpatong, and maybe further afield. Air looking much cleaner!

35 minutes ago, XGM said:

A lot of wind last night but no much rain.

 

@EricTh: the combination of heat and clear sky (strong sun radiation) is hard on the lawn. In addition to more frequent (or any..) watering, any shading can help. If the lawn is subject to direct sunlight for most hours during the day, you can just spread a shade net on top during say 11:00 - 15:00. Naturally tricky to do with large areas.

Yes, I was hoping for rain but not a drop. There was very strong wind though.