We are witnessing more extreme weather events in recent times, and some homeowners are realising that flooding is a real concern for their property. Are there ways then to minimise the damage that flooding can cause to our gardens and outbuildings?
As many of use have replaced lawns with patio areas and other hardstanding the rainwater that falls on our land has nowhere to drain away to. It is important when installing a patio or driveway to think about drainage and to make sure that the overflow from your property does not become someone else’s problem.
Slowing the flow of water can help give it time to sink into the soil and a good way of doing this is to plant shrubs and cover the soil around the plant with wood chippings. Loosening the soil around trees and bushes will help to boost drainage. Any paths in the garden should be made of a permeable material such as gravel or stone which again will allow the water to drain away.
If there are areas that get easily flooded, using sandbags, or digging sump pits filled with hardcore around the area can prevent too much damage being caused to structures such as greenhouses and sheds.