From eager gardeners in town, who left their taps untouched, to farmers banking on sub-soil moisture to allow them to sink a crop, yesterday's rain brought a smile to many faces.

The rainfall across the region appeared to be widespread, but was only heavy in isolated patches.

At least now it can't be said that the last notable fall was in February, exactly 11 weeks ago, when Tamworth received 17mm.

In the 24 hours up to 3pm yesterday the highest fall was 27mm at Mallanganee on the Northern Tablelands.

Tabulam received 21mm, Tingha 26mm and Guyra 23mm. Burren Junction had 22mm, Mungindi 20mm, Boomi 18mm, Manilla 8mm and Woolbrook 2mm.

Yesterday afternoon Tamworth and Armidale had caught 5mm, Inverell 14mm, Tenterfield 13.7mm, Barraba 12mm, Gunnedah 7mm, Quirindi 6mm and Narrabri and Moree 21mm.

Pallamallawa farmer Kate Pearse said the rain was a godsend but crops wouldn't be planted on their property, Kambodia, unless follow-up rain fell.

She said like most farmers they were holding off sowing a winter crop until there was moisture in the soil.

"We received 85 points or 22mm [up to lunchtime]. It is great and would have soaked in, but more is needed to seep into the ground and lift sub-soil moisture," Mrs Pearse said.

"The rain won't have been of much use on the ground that has been plowed but it could be useful on the no-till land, where there's a hope of sowing wheat if the rain forecast on Monday is delivered," she said.

The verdict was much the same on the Colley family properties, east and west of Moree.

While Gary Colley was in Brisbane yesterday, his family reported their wheat and barley property, Malama, towards Croppa Creek, had 22mm up to lunchtime.