UK: How to deal with flooding damage in gardens or allotments
Experts offer advice to gardeners whose outdoor spaces are waterlogged.
Dorset Echo
Nov 12, 2021
Excerpt:
Avoid large areas of bare soil at any time in the year. During winter, cover with a low nutrient organic waste such as a mix of autumn leaves and grass cuttings to protect the soil. In spring and summer use home-made compost to add nutrients and give the soil good permeable structure.
Make sure all paths are made of a permeable material like stone, gravel or brick: This will allow some water to be absorbed rather than standing on impermeable materials such as concrete.
If you have room, plant hedges or trees as they will soak up surplus water.
Fork the ground around existing shrubs and trees as this will help boost drainage, enabling water to go deeper into the ground.
To prevent extreme flooding use sandbags or dig sump pits filled with bricks and stones to help direct the water away from vulnerable areas, such as a greenhouse or polytunnel.
