Dry Days? Try These Rain Gauge Hacks This Spring

April 17, 2025

If you live in the UK, you will know that we have been experiencing delightful weather lately. Starting in the beginning of March, right through to mid-April, the UK has experienced record-breaking weather including the most sunshine recorded and below average rainfall, with temperatures reaching 22 degrees. Now while that sounds absolutely fantastic, it may leave your garden feeling a little parched and your rain gauge looking... empty. Why not make the most of the dry days and try these fun springtime rain gauge hacks while you wait for the next downpour.

1. Rain Gauge Flower Bouquet

Do you have a rose bush in full bloom that needs a trim? Or maybe you've picked up a fresh bunch of flowers and want to show them off in the garden? No need to grab that spare vase that's sitting somewhere in the shed, simply take the lid off your rain gauge, in this case we are using the ClimeMET CM1016 Professional Manual Rain Gauge, and fill the rain gauge up with water. Then add some freshly cut flowers of your choice into the rain gauge and watch them add that pop of colour and joy into your garden. The clear cylinder makes an unexpectedly chic vase. Check out this short clip to see the rain gauge flower bouquet in action.

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2. Beer Trap for Slugs

Nobody likes encountering slugs in their gardens, especially when they're having a feast on your plants. Why not offer them some beer instead? Slugs and snails love beer, but they're not a match for a slug beer trap. Slugs and snails are attracted to the yeasty, fermented odour of beer and even prefer it to the fresh smell of your growing plants so here's how to create one using a rain gauge. Pour an inch or two of beer into the rain gauge and bury it slightly in your garden soil. The slugs will make their way to the beer, fall into the liquid, and well, you can guess the rest. This method serves as an eco-friendly pest control that puts your empty rain gauge to work.

3. Fairy Light Lantern

With temperatures on the rise and evenings growing longer, its finally that time of year when the garden becomes your second living room. Relax with a nice cup of tea or spend some quality time with family and friends, it's the perfect moment to add a little sparkle to your outdoor space. Get a string of battery-powered fairy lights and place them inside your rain gauge. As the sun sets, your rain gauge transforms into a magical lantern, casting a warm, twinkling light across your garden. Be sure to take down your lights when you go inside, or keep your lantern somewhere sheltered, to ensure they don't get wet when the rain does arrive.

4. Secret Easter Egg Hiding Spot

With Easter right around the corner, it's time to start planning the traditional Easter egg hunt for the children or grandchildren and this hack will be sure to outsmart the kids. Nobody will ever suspect the weather gear, so simply pop a small plastic egg or chocolate of your choice in your gauge, and place the rain gauge back in its preferred spot. Just make sure to keep an eye on it so that the dog does not find it first!

5. DIY Bug Hotel

This is a great activity to get the children involved during the Spring half term. Create a cosy little bug hotel by filling the bottom of the rain gauge with soil, moss, bark, and even some tiny twigs. Anything natural would work just fine to attract the little insects. Carefully lower it back into a shady spot in your garden and watch as beetles, ladybirds, and other critters come to check in. It's a brilliant way to introduce kids to the magic of ecosystems.

While none of these uses quite measure up (pun intended) to the satisfying sound of rain landing into your gauge and seeing how much rainfall was measured, take this opportunity to get creative. When the rain does finally arrive, you will be back in action and getting the most accurate rainfall measurements.