5 Ways to Manage Your Garden For Heavy Rain

If you live in the West Of Ireland, you probably are used to seeing a potential summer day consisting of rain, sun, wind, another blast of rain, another vision of the sun followed by biblical rain. When that deluge rain arrives, how can you actually use it or prepare for the worst. 5 Ways to Manage Your Garden For Heavy Rain

1. Plant for a deluge

Any time you have water running across a landscape/garden, erosion is a potential concern. One of the best ways to prevent erosion is to establish an extensive network of plant roots to keep soil in place.

While grass establishes a root base across the entire breadth of your yard, shrubs and trees hold the big picture together. When planting for a deluge, steer clear of succulent plants. Often, these type of plants collapse and disintegrate when waterlogged, so you’ll want to make sure you plant these on higher ground. Instead, plan your landscape around varieties of plants that can withstand wet and soggy conditions.

2. Working with slanted landscapes

If you can decrease the grade of slant of your landscapes, it can help decrease erosion. Lawns or gardens that tilt sharply in one direction will add momentum to the flow of exiting water, increasing its power to carry away soil and plants.

Hills can sometimes be terraced to slow runoff. In addition, well-placed plants can help prevent runoff in the first place.

Another option is leveling uneven areas of your property. Depressions in your yard can collect rain faster than the ground can absorb it, drowning more water-sensitive plants.

3. Catch The Rain

Many homes use drain spouts attached to the gutters on your roof to catch rain and move it away. However, if the spout opens over a paved surface, like a walkway or driveway, you can almost kiss that water goodbye. It’s likely to flow down that impermeable surface and right off your property.

Adjusting gutter downspouts to empty onto vegetated ground will ensure that more of the water flows where it’s needed, letting thirsty plants reuse the rainwater. Water Butts are another useful option. The rainwater collects in the Water Butts so you can later reuse it in your garden.

4. Cover the most delicate plants

Use a waterproof covering such as tarpaulin to cover young and fragile plants, including herbs and vegetables, if the rain if hard and persistent. Make sure the covering is slanted in the correct direction to ensure adequate drainage away form surrounding foliage.

5. Turn your compost

Ensure the entirety of your rich, nutritious compost is watered by mixing the damp with the dry under layers.