Tips For Reviving Your Garden
In the UK, and especially Lincolnshire for some reason, the weather can switch from a sunlit afternoon to an unexpected downpour in the blink of an eye. When it does, our gardens often bear the brunt of these sudden changes.
After a period of heavy and persistent rainfall, even the most well-tended garden can look a little under the weather. However, with a few straightforward steps, you can nurse your garden back to health. Here’s a practical guide to reviving your garden after it’s had too much rain.
Step 1: Assess and Address Water Logging
Take a walk around your garden, ideally without stepping on the soggy soil to avoid compaction. Look for signs of waterlogging and drainage issues. Puddles on the lawn or around plants are tell-tale signs.
Tackling Standing Water
If you find standing water, think about long-term solutions to improve drainage. This could involve adding a layer of gravel or sand beneath the topsoil to increase water flow. For an immediate fix, gently aerate the soil with a fork to help water penetrate the surface. Remember, it’s about gentle intervention – no need to turn your garden into a DIY excavation site.
Lawn Care
Your lawn might be looking particularly sad after a deluge. Avoid walking on it until it’s dried out a bit. You might need to reseed areas that have been washed away or become patchy. A light rake over these areas, followed by seeding and a gentle water (ironic, I know, but necessary), will encourage regrowth. Or, if you’ve had enough of the real stuff, is it time you considered artificial grass? It’s come a long way since it was first introduced in the UK. You might be surprised to learn a thing or two about whether Artificial Grass is Bad for the Environment, too.
Step 2: Salvage and Support Plants
Take a good look at your plants for damage. Heavy rain can break stems and weigh down plants with waterlogged blooms.
Trimming and Support
Trim any broken stems or leaves to prevent disease and pests from taking advantage. If some plants have been partially uprooted, replant them at the correct depth and firm the soil gently around their bases. For taller plants that have been battered by the rain, staking can provide much-needed support as they recover.
Give Them a Boost
After excessive rain, your plants will benefit from a nutritional boost. A mulch of well-rotted compost around the base of your plants can provide them with the nutrients leached away by the rain. Consider a gentle application of a balanced, slow-release fertiliser to help them bounce back but wait until the soil has dried out a bit to avoid further waterlogging issues.
Step 3: Soil Health
Rain can wash away the nutrients in your soil, leaving it less fertile and disrupting the delicate ecosystem beneath the surface.
Revitalising Your Soil
Adding organic matter is key. Spread compost or well-rotted manure over your garden beds. This won’t just add back lost nutrients; it will also improve soil structure, making it better at both retaining moisture in dry conditions and draining excess water in wet conditions. And just in case you missed it, you can find out more about Spring Garden Preparation in our recent blog.
Consider Raised Beds
If waterlogging is a recurring problem, raised beds might be a solution worth considering. They ensure better drainage and can be filled with soil that’s ideal for your plants. Plus, they make quite the statement in your garden design. We talk about this in more detail in our How Can I Use Raised Beds? blog.
Step 4: Plan for the Future
Once your garden is on the mend, it’s worth thinking about how to make it more resilient to extreme weather in the future.
Water Management
Installing a rain garden or a permeable pathway can help manage excess water, directing it away from where it can do damage. Rain gardens are particularly effective, allowing water to be absorbed into the ground naturally, and they look lovely too.
Right Plant, Right Place
Moving forward, consider the “right plant, right place” mantra. Plants that thrive in your local climate and soil conditions are more likely to withstand adverse weather. Doing a bit of research or talking to local gardening experts like us, can help you choose plants that won’t just survive but thrive, come rain or shine.
Companion Planting
Companion planting can also play a role in your garden’s recovery and resilience. Some plants, when grown together, can help each other out in terms of growth, pest control, and even water management. For instance, deep-rooted plants can help break up the soil, allowing water to drain more effectively and preventing surface pooling.
Conclusion
Recovering your garden from the aftermath of heavy rain might seem daunting, but it’s entirely doable with patience and the right approach. Start by addressing any immediate waterlogging issues and damaged plants, then move on to nourishing your soil and lawn back to health.
Looking ahead, consider making structural changes to improve drainage and choosing plants wisely to create a garden that not only survives but thrives, regardless of the weather.
Remember, gardens are remarkably resilient, and with a little TLC, yours will soon be back to its vibrant best, ready to enjoy for the rest of the season. So, pop on those wellies, grab your gardening tools, and let’s get started on the road to recovery.
And if that all sounds like too much trouble, why not get in touch with us to see how ALS Landscaping, Lincoln can transform your outdoors.
FAQs
How long should I wait after heavy rain to start working on my garden?
It’s best to wait until the top layer of soil has dried out a bit. This can vary depending on your soil type and the amount of rain, but a good rule of thumb is to check if the soil sticks to your shoes. If it does, give it a little more time. Working on wet soil can compact it, making it harder for roots to grow.
My vegetable garden was flooded. Are the vegetables still safe to eat?
If your vegetable garden has been flooded, especially with water that might not be clean, it’s best to err on the side of caution. Leafy greens and vegetables that grow close to the ground should probably be discarded, as they could be contaminated. For root vegetables, peeling and cooking them should make them safe to eat, but always use your best judgement and consider the source of the floodwater.
Can heavy rain affect the pH of my soil?
Yes, heavy rain can alter the pH of your soil by leaching away essential minerals and nutrients. If your garden has experienced excessive rainfall, it’s a good idea to test the soil’s pH. This can help you determine if you need to adjust it to meet the needs of your plants. Adding lime can help raise the pH (make it more alkaline), while sulphur can help lower it (make it more acidic).
As always, if you need help to turn your dream garden into a reality, contact us today!
