With the UK experiencing more extreme flooding events, water management is an increasingly important element of garden maintenance and design. Here are a few ideas for affordable ways to tackle any waterlogged areas, without having to resort to the expense of land drains.
Embrace the wet and put in a pond
If your garden slopes, and you end up with a soggy area at the lowest point, putting in a garden pond may be a viable solution. A pond, if sufficiently deep and properly lined, will accommodate excess water more readily than bare ground. Building a channel from higher ground allows you to control water flow too. Garden ponds make wonderful wildlife havens and can also provide the ideal location for your rattan garden furniture.
Plant thirsty shrubs and strengthen the soil
Areas where the water table is high can be a challenge for any gardener. Start by digging in plenty of organic matter to dry the soil, and then plant any new specimens on raised mounds to protect against roots being flooded. Hostas and astilbes do remarkably well in wet conditions, as do hydrangeas and weigela. Try woodruff, rose mallow and bugbane for naturally occurring ground cover that adds colour.
Make a bog garden
If you have an area that really can’t be drained, a bog garden might be your only option. You are, effectively, digging a pond, but not fully lining it, and then allowing water friendly plants to colonise the area. Introduce marsh marigold, meadowsweet, water avens and hemp-agrimony, and you’ll soon have a family friendly haven for dragonflies, butterflies and even some frogs.
Ponds and bog gardens offer an eco-friendly solution to excess water, enrich your garden and delight children!
