How GoodDayTo judges gardening weather
Gardening does not need perfectly dry weather. A cool cloudy hour can be excellent for many garden jobs, and a little recent moisture may even help. GoodDayTo focuses on whether the upcoming conditions are comfortable and workable rather than simply rewarding the sunniest hour.
- Temperature and apparent temperature
- Rain intensity
- Wind
- UV index
- Humidity
🌞 Make the most of the good window
- Use cooler lower-UV periods for strenuous jobs on hot days.
- Very wet soil can compact when heavily worked, even if the rain has stopped.
- Windy periods are less suitable for spraying, staking or handling lightweight materials.
Match the gardening score to the job
“Gardening” can mean ten minutes of deadheading or several hours of digging, pruning and planting. GoodDayTo favours comfortable temperatures, manageable wind, lower rain risk and reasonable UV, but the best weather depends on the task. Light drizzle may be acceptable for planting while it is inconvenient for mowing, painting a fence or using dry soil amendments.
If the result is WAIT, the later window can be useful for jobs that need dry foliage or calmer wind. Spraying, staking tall plants and handling lightweight materials are more sensitive to wind than routine weeding. In strong sun, moving demanding jobs to the morning can make the same day much more comfortable.
What the gardening score cannot know
GoodDayTo does not measure your soil moisture, drainage, frost pocket, greenhouse temperature or the needs of a particular plant. It also does not know whether local watering restrictions or pesticide rules apply. Use the score to choose a pleasant weather window, then let the plant, soil and job determine what work actually makes sense.
What the score means
GO means the weather signals we can measure look favourable. WAIT means conditions are mixed and a better hour may be nearby. NOT TODAY means the forecast currently contains enough unfavourable signals that this activity is unlikely to be a good weather choice. These are planning recommendations, not safety clearances.
Frequently asked questions
Is sunshine required for a good gardening score?
No. Mild cloudy weather can be very comfortable for gardening.
Does rain always make the score bad?
No. Light rain has a smaller effect than sustained or heavy rain.
Why is UV included?
Long periods outdoors can increase sun exposure, so high UV reduces the comfort score even if the sky looks pleasant.