Quick tutorial: Most commercial potting media support several inches of excess water at the pot's bottom. This is water that will not drain by the force of gravity alone because the sum of water's tendency to stick to itself and to soil particles is greater than the force of gravity. This is the water you need to be very concerned about. In the images, the shaded area represents excess (perched) water, which will be the same ht in any container for any given medium. Note how much water can be expelled from the container by tipping the pot (see B) or using ballast (see D). It's too late for ballast, since the planting is already established, but ballast can eliminate 95% or more of excess water in any medium. You can also use a wick to drain a significant amount of excess water from plantings for which a water-retentive medium has been used. When using a wick, the best location for the drain hole is through the bottom of the pot where it meets the sidewall. Combine it with tipping with the drain hole at the lowest point for best results. I use a strand from a rayon mop as my wicks. The only way to stop water from entering a pot when it's raining is to use some type of mechanism to ensure no rain falls on the plant or soil. So providing some form of cover (garage or enclosed porch, e.g.) or providing a makeshift canopy/umbrella would be the direction your thinking might take if you don't care to use the methods I described. Al

Planatus, thanks for that suggestion on pre-sprouting the parsnips. I will try that. I have already dug a trench for the parsnips just now, but I will cover it, because it is supposed to rain again. (That trench is just to make the soil for the parsnips nice and friable, so the seed can grow deep and long: I am not going to plant the seed at the bottom, in case you are worried!) And you're right about being grateful for the rain.

Buff, I know exactly what you mean. It's the same here in central MS. I hope the weatherman isn't teasing us with the forecast for next week. He says highs in the 80s and a good chance of rain. I rode out in the country yesterday and the farmers are really hurting for rain also. The massive corn fields look like they've been roasted. I kinda feel guilty complaining about my few roses. At least I can water some but they can't. The poor folks up north are having the other extreme and can't do a darned thing about it.

Most likely - way too much nitrogen. That is the most common cause of no flowers. Next best bet is not enough phosphorus. Dave