Five tips to protect your garden from flooding
An amber weather warning has been put in place in parts of the UK for the coming days, due to wet weather. Given the downpours seen over the weekend, many people’s gardens are at risk of flooding.
Flooding is a nightmare, it can cause expensive damage to the outside of your property and potentially gain access to your bottom floor. Because of this, you act fast to avoid your garden being underwater.
To give you a helping hand, our garden experts here at Household Quotes have revealed five tips to protect your garden from flooding.
1. Drainage system
Ensure that all drains around your home are clear and unblocked, otherwise, this causes flooding which could affect your lawn. You can also install your own drainage system which collects water and sends it away from your home and into a nearby drain.
2. Add mulch
Mulch, when put on soil, not only improves its health but also aids the retention of moisture. This is particularly beneficial during heavy rain as it decreases the likelihood of flooding. Not only this, it also stops topsoils from being washed away in the event of very bad weather.
3. Water-resilient plants
Some plants are more water-resilient than others, which means the plant can survive in extremely wet weather, along with being able to absorb more water. Examples of water-resilient plants include; lavender, sedum and verbena.
4. Rain barrel
Rain barrels collect water from your roof to store for a later date. This helps prevent the flooding of your lawn as otherwise the water would fall onto your grass before eventually flooding. You can pick them up for many different prices, but they are available for as little as £30.
5. Sandbags
This is particularly effective for your front garden. Line sandbags at the end of your drive to stop water from gaining access. Pile one behind the other with them being at least two high. Sandbags can be bought from hardware stores for around £5, alternatively, you can contact your local council to see if they can provide any. If both are not possible, then post on a local community group on social media, someone will be bound to have a few going spare.
Joshua Houston, Garden Expert at Household Quotes:
Summer is over, and don’t we know it given the awful weather over the last few days. This is set to continue into the week with it getting worse in some regions. It’s crucial that you protect your garden from flooding, as this will ultimately protect your home as well.
Bad weather can bring communities together, so don’t be afraid to ask for help when it comes to supplies. Also, avoid walking on flooded grass as this can prevent it from growing back in the future.’’