How to prepare your garden
for flooding – Environment Agency Wales and
BBC Gardeners’ World magazine launch new advice
leaflet.
28/06/2005 - Your plants have withered, the
lawn is sodden and the gravel which covered
the paths has been washed away; there is a
smell of sewage in the air. Floods can be
devastating and whilst the scenario might
appear extreme, those ‘once in a lifetime’
floods are happening more frequently and it
could be a reality for the 170,000 homes and
businesses at risk from flooding in Wales.
Environment Agency Wales and BBC Gardeners’
World magazine are launching a new leaflet
for gardeners, providing simple steps to reduce
the damage caused by flooding. Entitled, ‘Flooding
in Gardens’, the leaflet offers practical
advice on planning, planting and preparing
your garden to withstand flooding, so that
if the unthinkable happens any damage will
be kept to a minimum.
The advice includes:
Creating better drainage
Installing raised beds for plants that cannot
tolerate waterlogging
Making bog gardens in wet areas
Selecting the right plants, including suggestions
of which to choose and which to avoid
Selecting appropriate materials for paths
and patios
The leaflet also provides tips and advice
on restoring your garden after a flood - essential
advice for anyone living on a floodplain.
Dr Helen Phillips, Director Wales said: "The
risk of flooding to homes and property is
increasing due to the effects of climate change.
Fortunately, there are practical steps we
can all take to reduce the impact of flooding
to our homes and property, including the garden.
By working with BBC Gardeners’ World, we want
to provide as much information as possible
to help people understand their flood risk
and ensure that they are prepared for flooding."
BBC Gardeners’ World Editor, Adam Pasco,
adds: "Flooding in gardens is an increasing
problem and thousands of home owners are facing
up to the reality that flooding is a serious
threat. Today’s committed gardener doesn’t
want his/her hard work destroyed as soon as
a flood hits. While much is being done to
reduce the risk, floods can never be prevented.
But we can prepare for them and the ‘Flooding
in Gardens’ leaflet is a helpful guide for
anyone with a garden in a flood risk area."
The leaflet is available from this website,
or by calling the Environment Agency's 24
hour Floodline 0845 988 1188.
The gardens and flooding advice leaflet is
part of a wider Environment Agency Wales education
and awareness campaign to urge people to take
action to prepare for flooding. The campaign
consists of a number of initiatives targeted
at those at risk of flooding including businesses
and older people.
