diff --git a/mods/ITEMS/mcl_farming/shared_functions.lua b/mods/ITEMS/mcl_farming/shared_functions.lua
index a33e414ed..6ebf659ca 100644
--- a/mods/ITEMS/mcl_farming/shared_functions.lua
+++ b/mods/ITEMS/mcl_farming/shared_functions.lua
@@ -307,12 +307,11 @@ function mcl_farming:add_gourd(full_unconnected_stem, connected_stem_basename, s
 				or (dir == 3 and vector.offset(stempos, 0, 0, 1))
 				or  vector.offset(stempos, 0, 0, -1)
 			if minetest.get_node(neighbor).name ~= "air" then return end -- occupied
-			-- check for suitable floor: grass, dirt, or soil
+			-- check for suitable floor -- in contrast to MC, we think everything solid is fine
 			local floorpos = vector.offset(neighbor, 0, -1, 0)
 			local floorname = minetest.get_node(floorpos).name
 			local floordef = minetest.registered_nodes[floorname]
-			if not floordef then return end
-			if (floordef.groups.grass_block or 0) == 0 and (floordef.groups.dirt or 0) == 0 and (floordef.groups.soil or 0) < 2 then return end -- not suitable for growing
+			if not floordef or not floordef.walkable then return end
 
 			-- check moisture level
 			local odds = floor(25 / (get_moisture_level(stempos) * get_same_crop_penalty(stempos))) + 1
diff --git a/mods/ITEMS/mcl_farming/soil.lua b/mods/ITEMS/mcl_farming/soil.lua
index d943a7000..32f624c3c 100644
--- a/mods/ITEMS/mcl_farming/soil.lua
+++ b/mods/ITEMS/mcl_farming/soil.lua
@@ -72,6 +72,7 @@ minetest.register_abm({
 				node.name = "mcl_farming:soil_wet"
 				minetest.set_node(pos, node) -- resets wetness
 				meta:set_int("wet", 7)
+				meta:mark_as_private("wet")
 			elseif wet < 7 then
 				meta:set_int("wet", 7)
 			end
@@ -85,8 +86,11 @@ minetest.register_abm({
 			if node.name == "mcl_farming:soil_wet" then -- change visual appearance to dry
 				node.name = "mcl_farming:soil"
 				minetest.set_node(pos, node)
+				meta:set_int("wet", wet - 1)
+				meta:mark_as_private("wet") -- after set_int
+			else
+				meta:set_int("wet", wet - 1)
 			end
-			meta:set_int("wet", wet - 1)
 			return
 		end
 		-- Revert to dirt if wetness is 0, and no plant above