FLOODED GARDEN

COPING WITH A FLOODED GARDEN

(Click on the title for a link to flooding.ie)

More and more people are getting concerned about flooding in the garden and the damage it causes. I used to live in an area where the bottom of the garden got washed away every year. It wasn’t that the area was low lying it was because the storm drains were not sufficient to carry away the water fast enough. The result was the manhole covers used to pop off of the drains and the water (and sewage!) would come out like a very powerful fountain

If your garden suffers from a flood then a lot of nutrients in the soil could be lost. After the water level has gone down there are some steps you can do to bring the garden up to scratch. Add some slow release fertiliser or well-rotted manure to the soil. Try not to walk on the lawn. Wait until is has dried and gently aerate the soil with a fork. Put some coarse lime-free sand into the holes as well to aid the drainage. Most garden plants will survive a day or two under water. Get waterlogged plants out of the ground as soon as possible and replant them in a dryer area or put them in pots.

Most vegetables will be unsuitable for eating so they might have to be composted, as sewage will have seeped in. If you know in advance that a flood is coming then try to gather everything from the veggie patch that you can before it comes.

Here are a few other things you can do:

Move any items kept outside such as garden furniture to higher ground. Remember that floodwater could get into your garage so move any chemicals or fuel to ensure that they do not spill into the floodwater and cause damage.

Close off the flow valves on propane tanks, oil drums, or other fuel containers that supply your home through pipes and fittings.

Unplug any exterior electrical connections such as outdoor lighting, pond pumps and filters.
Turn off the water supply to the garden.

Tie in climbing plants.

Check tree ties are secure on any newly planted trees.

Anchor fruit cages and coldframes against storm damage or dismantle them if time permits.

Take valuable or sentimental items and store them indoors or move them to higher ground.

Empty petrol lawn mowers.

Lock gardening tools away.

If you would like some more information about how to cope with flooding then go to

www.flooding.ie or pop into the council offices and pick up a leaflet.

Horticultural.