Post Flooding - English Woodlands Release Advice on Preventing Water Damage

Online, January 15, 2013 (Newswire.com) - Surprisingly, 2012 was reported by the Met Office to be the second wettest year in the history of the UK. This is despite the early 2012 drought that brought in water preservation measures, yet the year finally came in only 6.6 millimetres of rainfall behind 2000, the wettest year the UK had ever seen. Though as a result of this rainfall, flooding was experienced across the country. Over eight thousand homes were heavily damaged, and hundreds more needed to be evacuated.

In the countryside rivers rose and vegetable crops were rendered inedible, with many individuals in particularly hard hit areas finding their gardens to be heavily damaged, if not destroyed. Considering the weather problems English Woodlands have released advice on keeping water damage from affecting private gardens in the future.

Investing in water tolerant plants will help worried gardeners set their mind at rest. The willow, for instance, is often planted on river banks to keep the walls from eroding, and features roots which are highly resistant to waterlogging. The Shrubby Dogwood has attractive winter stems and flowers, and requires an incredibly heavy water source in order to sustain itself. For an annual garden they're a good species to plant, able to survive even torrential rainfall. Both are available in dwarf varieties for a manageable garden.

An effective way of defending plants is to raise them above ground level, and certainly avoid planting in a basin. For flower and vegetable beds construct a raised bed. They provide more soil to set roots in, added structure and rigidity to a garden, and guarantee the plants won't become waterlogged.

Finally, if the garden is capable of accommodating it, then installing drainage systems can provide a permanent solution to water damage. Digging a ditch at the lowest point of the garden will allow extra water to pool safely away from the other plants, and some households are even able to support installation of an actual drain, so long as the entrance is kept clear from debris. Converting roofs into storm water storage with gutters and drainpipes will protect border plants, storing excess water until it can be safely released.

English Woodlands have been selling trees, plants and shrubs to consumers and professionals nationwide since 1919, proud to supply locally grown flora of only the highest quality.