Flooding problems
After this summer's floods, affecting large parts of the country, many people are now facing the aftermath in their gardens and allotments. Don't despair, all is not lost, it is amazing how nature deals with these disturbances and many plants will recover once water levels recede.
Flooding tips
- Firstly, don't be tempted to eat any vegetables that may have been contaminated by sewage, chemicals or oil. Although the risk may be small, it is better to dispose of any contaminated produce for this season and start to plan for next year's crops. Keep records of your crop rotation even though plants have been lost.
- If you are making an insurance claim, don't throw anything away until you have been told that you may, even plants may be claimed for on some policies. Take some photographs as evidence of the extent of the flooding.
- Take sensible precautions when working in contaminated water and handling soil – wear latex gloves, ensure tetanus inoculation is up to date and keep any cuts and wounds covered. See Environment Agency guidelines for information on this. (link below)
- Flooded soil can become compacted and many soil creatures such as earthworms may have drowned. Damp and sodden ground will encourage slugs and snails as well as fungal diseases and root rots.
- Check surviving plants regularly for signs of ill-health and pest attack, members can contact Garden Organic advisors for help and advice.
- Once the soil has dried out, you can dig over a plot to help relieve the compaction or fork around established plants to aid the drainage and drying out process. Work from a wooden board to spread your weight and prevent further compaction.
- Once the soil has dried sufficiently, sowing a green manure would be a great idea. It will help your soil to dry out and will improve your soil structure. In the spring the green manure can be dug back in, returning valuable nutrients to the soil. More information on green manures can be found here.
- Perennial plants which are in waterlogged ground can be lifted and heeled-in in a drier part of the garden or potted up and kept somewhere dry, until the ground is sufficiently dry to return them to their original spot. Alternatively, late summer is a good time to take cuttings from many plants as a good insurance policy in case plants later die from the effects of waterlogging.
- Growing vegetables in built up raised beds is a good way of avoiding the effects of all but the worst floods. The crops are kept above water levels and therefore should not be contaminated or waterlogged.
Lots more information on flooding in gardens has been produced by the Environment Agency and can be found here: www.newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk/ppimageupload/Image16104.PDF.
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Garden Organic is the working name of the Henry Doubleday Research Association (HDRA).
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Garden Organic is the working name of the Henry Doubleday Research Association (HDRA).
We are not responsible for the content of external web sites.
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