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Restoring The Garden

If a flood occurs your garden could be severely damaged.

 

Here are some tips on how to protect and restore your garden:

Soil and borders

  • Sodden soil can lead to shallow rooting, making plants unstable and prone to drought in dry spells. Wait until the soil dries out and then do some deep digging (turn over the soil to the depth of your spade) to prevent this problem.
  • In the case of seawater flooding, the only thing you can do is lift precious plants, wash off the soil and replant them in containers.

Vegetables
Throw away crops that have been covered by floodwater and let weeds germinate to help dry out the soil before replanting.

Ponds
Most aquatic life can normally cope with freshwater flooding, but seawater will probably cause fatalities. The best way to preserve your pond is to tie netting over it to prevent fish and aquatic plants from being swept away.

Plants

  • Most garden plants will survive a few days’ immersion in water, but the roots will need oxygen. Fork the plants out of the soil, wash off the silt and debris from the roots and foliage and replant them in a drier part of the garden or a pot.
  • Trim back any browning or dead leaves, stems or branches.
  • Add slow-release fertilizer to the soil to replace lost nutrients.
  • Raise plants in containers onto bricks to help them drain.

Lawns
Do not walk on a waterlogged lawn. Wait until it is dry and gently aerate the top soil with a fork to about 13cm. Work some coarse lime-free sand into the holes and reseed any bald patches.

Please remember: Elderly neighbours may need assistance in restoring their gardens.