As flood waters subside, poorly-drained soils can lead to waterlogging. Few garden plants are able to cope with long periods in ground saturated with water. When soil is waterlogged, plants literally drown. Water fills all the air spaces between the soil particles and this prevents oxygen from reaching the roots. In turn, this causes the soil to stagnate and prevents root growth.

Most flood water leaves behind debris and silt that will need to be
cleaned out before further use of the garden; however, it is important
to make sure that the water used to remove the debris is clean and does
not possess any harmful elements. Some property owners try to clean
their gardens using sprays designed for fruits and vegetables, or worse,
chlorine or bleach solutions. This is unwise and unsafe.

The first step in post flood restoration
and garden recovery is to allow the soil to drain naturally. Working
with wet soil may cause long-term damage to soil structure through
compaction. This is a particular problem with heavier soils which tend
to compact to a greater degree. Heavy clay soils will take several days
to dry out to the point where work can commence. If plant foliage is
heavily silted or covered in debris it is advisable to hose them off
gently, taking care not to add too much to the already sodden
conditions. Silted leaves will affect the plant’s ability to function
effectively.

Creating Better Drainage

If the garden is not
properly equipped for drainage, flood waters can leave behind saturated
soil which, in most cases, may cause crops or plants to literally
drown. Once this is done, it is nearly impossible to remedy, however,
steps may be taken proactively to cut down on the level of damage before
flooding becomes a problem.

Proper garden drainage may be
achieved through several methods, such as filling the area with a top
quality compost mix and using a tiller to mix the compost into the soil.
This procedure should be repeated several times over a period of
months, and should provide a marked improvement in water drainage.

If
the soil has been compacted, it will not allow water to penetrate very
deeply, resulting in saturation and overflow. Fill the area with top
quality gardening mulch, tilling the mulch into the soil, and the
quality of the drainage should improve immensely.

The backyard
area (where most gardens are found) can also be elevated in order to
provide the setting for more effective runoff due to the effect of
gravity on water flow. Just make sure the flow is directed properly away
from the home.

Shrubs and fruit trees are particularly vulnerable
in waterlogged soil during the winter months, says Alys. Shrubs aren’t
able to put on new roots as quickly as perennials and cannot cope for
long periods of time underneath water. Planting trees and shrubs on
raised ground will help to improve drainage.

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