We certainly have had some rain over the past month, and as much as the rain is always welcome, it can sometimes have a negative effect on our plants. Here are a few tips to minimise and mitigate some problems in your garden from too much rainwater.
Firstly, check any potted plants, particularly plants in glazed and decorative pots. The drainage holes can become blocked because of things like compacted soil and if the pot is resting on a hard surface. The excess water has nowhere to escape, and air is unable to get through to the base of the pot. It’s always a good idea to lift pots slightly off the ground using pot feet or tiles, to allow any excess water to drain away.
Next, while mulch is an essential part of the garden, it is always good to check that it's not too dense, particularly when it's been raining so much.
A good idea is to remove some of the thick mulch away from the stems of schrubs and plants at this time, to help prevent rotting. However, we recommend retaining a light coverage of mulch as this will help to stop the rain splashing up onto the lower leaves, which can cause fungal problems. If you do notice any spotting on the lower leaves of shrubs or plants in the garden, it’s best to remove them, to help stop the spread of potential fungal problems to other surrounding plants.
Another thing to keep in mind is that many of the nutrients may have been washed away with so much rain. We highly recommend feeding your garden once the rain has decided to eventually give up!
Garden Delight is ideal for this, as it’s a natural rock mineral that can be used throughout the garden and will aid in replenishing any lost nutrients. It may also be a good idea to get out the garden fork and gently aerate the soil where possible, to improve drainage and allow oxygen to permeate through the soil.
Ensure you do this before fertilizing, followed by replacing any mulch that may have thinned out too much.
Happy gardening!
