As winter tightens its grip across the UK, the familiar pattern of crisp frosts giving way to torrential downpours is leaving many gardens saturated and struggling. While drought often preoccupies gardeners, excessive rainfall and localised flooding present a significant threat to plant health and soil structure.
Building Resilience Against the Deluge
Award-winning garden designer Tom Massey, who secured a gold medal at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show for his WaterAid Garden, understands the pressures of a changing climate. He advocates for proactive measures to make outdoor spaces more resilient. "Often, local flooding is caused by sewer systems becoming overwhelmed," Massey explains. "Reducing the flow from your own property can genuinely help."
His first crucial tip is to disconnect downpipes from the main sewer system. Instead, direct roof water into a water butt, a rain garden, or a shallow drainage channel known as a swale. This simple action alleviates pressure on public drains and boosts local flood resilience.
Transforming Your Soil and Surfaces
Healthy soil is your first line of defence. Compacted earth causes rainwater to run off, flooding other areas, whereas good soil acts like a sponge. Massey recommends enriching soil with organic matter like compost, leaf mould, or well-rotted manure. "Even one bucket per square metre makes a difference," he notes, adding that mulching further prevents compaction and run-off.
For hard landscaping, choose permeable surfaces. Swap solid paving or concrete for gravel, permeable pavers, or reinforced grass grids. These allow water to soak through, reducing flash flooding and replenishing groundwater. If you already have extensive paving, consider removing occasional slabs to create planting pockets.
Smart Planting for Problem Areas
If you have a perpetually soggy patch, fight nature with nature. Massey suggests selecting moisture-loving plants that actively draw water from the ground. Species like willow (salix), alder (alnus), and birch (betula) are excellent for drying out heavy soil.
For colour and interest, consider perennials such as Siberian iris, astilbe, or purple loosestrife, which thrive in damp conditions. The ideal planting window for these is before the end of March. For a lawn that constantly floods, consider a more radical solution: transforming it into a bog garden. Plants like yellow flag iris, meadowsweet, and various ferns will create a valuable, biodiverse habitat.
Finally, for a larger-scale solution, consider digging a pond in a flood-prone area. Plant it with bog species and frame it with rocks. "If you dig a big enough space, you could have a really attractive seasonal pond that fills and empties," Massey advises, noting the importance of planning for overflow.
By implementing these expert strategies, gardeners can move from being victims of the winter weather to proactive custodians of their plot, ensuring their soil and plants survive and even thrive during the wettest months.
