With the strange weather that has been going on lately in many parts of the country, gardeners have found themselves needing to adjust their routines. For some gardeners, drought has been a problem, but for others, there has been an excess of rain this year.
So how do you deal with excess rain?
Moving the Garden
Not an ideal solution for most, but probably the most sure-fire way to help your garden. Moving the garden to a different location with better draining soil can help save the garden from becoming so waterlogged (which puts them at a greater risk for developing diseases).
However, if moving the garden is not a realistic solution, there are other avenues that can help get more air into the soil, allowing the plants to start thriving again.
A Last-Ditch Effort
The goal of creating ditches in the garden is to drain water away from the garden to a lower location. The number of ditches needed depends on how much clay there is in the soil; the more clay in the soil, the more ditches will be needed to draw off more water.
The drainage ditch created does not need to be too big. In fact, a shovel’s width is wide enough to give the garden the needed drainage.
Raising Roots
Another way to help your plants is to get the roots some air by raising them above water level. Raised container gardens are great at providing well-aerated soil to any flowers and vegetables in the garden. The higher the garden is raised, the better the soil is for the plants’ roots.
However, it is important to dig the ditch at least 18 inches deep; this will allow for better aeration in the soil. Then, it is recommended that the ditch have a gradual slope to keep the water flowing downhill.
Make It Unique
Although some of these solutions may seem to take away from the beauty of a garden, using some creativity, they can easily become a feature that not only ensures the growth of your garden but also adds a unique beauty to the garden.
Lining the ditches with stone can emulate a classic Persian garden while utilizing a pattern of raised beds coupling it with materials for the garden’s sides and paths can emulate a garden from medieval Europe.
But these aren’t the only ways to go about designing your garden — try adding your own unique touches and personality to the garden!
