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Flooding might not seem a worry if your home is dry, but it can spell disaster for your garden. Prolonged periods of sitting in waterlogged soil limit oxygen for the roots. This leads to yellow leaves, root rot, and even lawn death. And that’s just one of the risks your green space could face. Let’s avoid getting close to that, shall we?
In this guide, we’ll share some handy, effective tips to help protect your garden from soaking.
Improve Your Drainage
Blocked drains are common, but they shouldn’t be overlooked. The reason is simple: the drainage system will be unable to cope with the high level of rain. If you think you have an overflowing drain blockage, don’t wait for your garden to flood before you take action.
Leaves and branches, soil and mud, moss, litter, and other outdoor debris tend to be the main culprits. You can take steps to fix this yourself, as long as it’s a fairly minor issue and not a shared drain, such as these:
- Use a flat-head screwdriver or the right tool to get that drain cover off. Just be careful not to let it fall down the drain. If it’s a bit heavy, don’t hesitate to grab a friend to help you out.
- Find and remove as much blockage with your hands as possible. Don’t forget your gloves and face mask. Keep a bucket or bin nearby for the mess, and try not to breathe too much. Just think about all the cash you’re saving by doing this yourself—you’ve got this!
- Clear the rest with a drain rod. Push it into the blockage and twist it clockwise. Keep plunging and twisting—sometimes, those blockages can be really stubborn! When it gets easier, that’s your cue that things are clearing up.
Tips: Don’t attempt anything you’re not sure about. Contact a professional plumber or drainage expert to handle it. You might also want to check with your local sewage company. They can confirm if your drains are shared and find out who’s responsible for unblocking them.
Move Your Plants into the Potting Shed or Greenhouse
There are instances when you can’t clear your drainage right away. For example, you might discover a blockage but lack the right tools or help to clear it immediately. Or, a sudden downpour can occur, causing water to accumulate quickly and pool in your garden. In situations like these, your shed or greenhouse is your last resort to save your plants.
Potted plants are easier to relocate, but you need to be quick with those planted directly in the soil. Get pots or containers and saucers ready, and transfer them as soon as possible so they won’t end up drowning. Choose elevated shelves or stands to keep them off the ground. Waterproof mats or trays under pots can also work in catching any excess water.
You’ll also want to ensure the structure is safe. It should be situated on an elevated foundation, higher up, or away from water runoff areas. Avoid letting it become submerged. Even a pressure treated shed can suffer from moisture or rot damage if exposed for too long.
Prioritise Lawn Care
Well-maintained grass can better manage excess rain and reduce the risk of flooding in your garden. Take a look at the soil underneath your lawn and observe its quality and structure. Do this if heavy rain is forecast in the coming days and as part of your maintenance routine every spring or early autumn.
Remember, compact soils are more likely to flood. Here are some methods you can use to tackle this:
- Rake through your lawn to clear off any leaves and debris.
- Use a garden fork to spike your lawn. This will open up the soil beneath the grass and allow for air and water to seep in.
- Sprinkle fast-germinating lawn seed to rejuvenate these areas.
Not only can these steps improve the root structure in the soil, but they can also create better drainage.
Dig Your Own Soakaway
Soakaway is a big hole that collects excess rainwater. It lets any pooling drain gradually into the ground instead of sitting on the surface. You can build one by digging a hole in your garden that’s at least 1m³ deep. Fill it with hardcore, subbase, stones, rubble and/or bricks, then place the topsoil back over. And that’s it—you’ve created a soakaway drainage field that helps avoid a waterlogged garden!
Take Advantage of Water Butts
(Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons)
Harvesting rainwater with a water butt can help reduce the amount of water your garden absorbs. This is how it works: rainwater falls from the roof of your home, shed, or hobby greenhouse into the gutter. But instead of running off onto the ground, the water flows through the downpipes and into the water butt. It can hold anywhere from 100L to 1000L. The larger the butt, the more water you can collect!
The water gathered in the butt can be used for later. For instance, watering plants, washing the car, and doing other outdoor tasks. A water butt pump and micro-irrigation system are also worthwhile. They can distribute the water evenly across your garden and protect it from flooding. And it’s healthier for your plants than tap water.
Round-up
Floods and waterlogging can happen during heavy rain, which is quite normal. What’s not is allowing it to happen and leaving it that way.
Make it a habit of checking on your drainage, not just when there’s a storm on the way. Over time, outdoor debris will accumulate, so find a good time to unclog it and don’t wait for the problem to worsen.
It also helps to ensure that your potting shed or greenhouse is well maintained. These structures are meant to provide a safe environment for your plants, but they won’t do their job if they aren’t cared for properly. Keep standing water away from the garden building, and always have spare pots ready for emergency relocations!
Lawn care is a must, not only for preventing waterlogging but also for maintaining the health of your garden. Soakaway and water butts are great methods as well, with the latter being particularly sustainable.
We hope these tips and ideas will help keep your garden safe from floods! Looking for a new home for your plants? Check out our range of quality greenhouses for sale. If you want to explore alternatives, don’t miss our guide: What You Should Look For In A Potting Shed
