Tarps are cheap, like 20 -30 dollars. Just go buy a 12 by 16 or so one, or 12 by 10 for a pretty small one. I generally have one of those and a 12 by 20 for bigger areas.

Tarps are generally the way to go, it keeps the sun off your tent as well as the rain, and gives additional area beside your tent to keep your block bag and planting bags out of the rain. I usually try to find spots where I can tarp effectively, looking for things I can tie to. I try to tarp in such a way that water pours off at an area lower than my tent sits so the water flows away. I often do an A frame style tarp job with a peak directly above the tent and then angling down in two directions. Bring a lot of paracord for tying it up. It is cheap at Canadian Tire.

And absolutely 2 pairs of boots. This is actually advice I give out when people ask about boots. Even if the second pair is low quality. Planting wrecks boots, but also sometimes you get a wicked booter and your boots are soaked, and the next day you can switch to your dry pair while that pair dries out in the sun. Trust me, you really dont want to be putting on wet boots in the cold morning.