Seven garden jobs after heavy rainfall

Brits are being given advice on how to take care of their gardens after the heavy rainfall from Storm Debi.

Experts at GardeningExpress.co.uk have shared their tips on how to revive an outdoor space after the bad weather.

Storm Debi recently entered the UK and Ireland bringing heavy rainfall and strong winds.

Too much rain can quickly lead to a waterlogged garden, making it the perfect environment for slugs and other pests to thrive.

Aerating the soil and adding a layer of mulch are just some of the things that can be done to help the garden deal with the excess amount of water.

Gardeners are also being advised to adjust their watering schedules, look out for exposed roots and support taller plants until they regain their strength.

Chris Bonnett, founder of GardeningExpress.co.uk said: “We’ve had a lot of rainfall thanks to Storm Debi which will have left some gardens in need of some extra TLC.

“Excessive rainfall can cause waterlogging, exposed roots and weakened plants which can all be detrimental if not taken care of right away.

“There are a few things you should be doing after the recent rainfall to help give your garden, plants and crops the best chance of surviving.

“The main thing is aerating your soil – ideally you want to wait around a day or so before doing this to allow some of the moisture to drain away. Doing this too soon after the rain can actually cause more harm than good.

“With a bit of extra care your garden will be back to normal in no time.”

How to take care of the garden after rainfall:

1. Asses the damage

You won’t know what needs fixing until you see what damage the rain has actually caused. Take a moment to check your grass, plants and pots to identify what the problem actually is.

2. Aerate the soil

The chances are the rain has left your soil soggy and waterlogged. Grab a garden fork and begin to create holes to allow it to breathe again. It’s best to do this a day after rainfall to allow some of the moisture to drain away.

3. Add a layer of mulch

Add a layer of mulch around your plants to help them cope with the heavy rain. Not only will this help to regulate the temperature of the soil, but it will also improve the overall health of your soil over time.

4. Prepare for slugs

Slugs and snails love moist conditions so you’re likely to notice more of them after rainfall. Consider laying down some natural slug deterrents such as eggshells and coffee grounds to keep them away from your plants.

5. Adjust your watering schedule

Your plants and grass would have had plenty of water so you’ll need to adjust your watering schedule accordingly. As it’s Autumn you will have been watering your garden less anyway, place your finger about an inch into the soil, when this feels dry give the area a water.

6. Support taller plants

Taller plants are likely to become more delicate after heavy rain, consider using a wooden or metal support to help keep the plant upright until it regains its strength.

7. Check vegetable roots

When heavy rainfall occurs it can sometimes lead to soil erosion which can expose the roots of vegetables. Check your vegetable roots and recover any that are exposed with some compost or soil to prevent them from drying out.