Winter in the UK brings a number of challenges to grounds and gardens, in both urban and rural areas. Waterlogging from excessive rainfall and overflowing waterways is one of the most common issues. So what should you consider when it comes to preventing winter waterlogging? And how can you be sure to avoid this issue throughout the winter?
What are the important factors for preventing winter waterlogging?
When it comes to protecting your gardens and grounds in winter, waterlogging should be top of the list to avoid. But what does this involve? Well, there are a number of important factors, including:
- Understanding your soil and drainage- Before you begin with any potential solutions to waterlogging, or start to implement measures to prevent this, it’s important to assess the soil itself. Different types of soils can be more susceptible to waterlogging, with clay soils, for example, being the most common culprit. This is because clay is a compact soil, which holds water for longer than other soil types, like sandy soils. As part of this assessment, you should observe areas of your garden that remain soggy after heavy rainfall. If water pools in any area for more than 24 hours, you may have poor drainage.
- Improving soil drainage- Now you have an understanding of your soil type, and the likelihood of waterlogging problems, you can take steps to improve soil drainage. There are a range of different steps you can take to achieve this, including adding organic matter such as leaf mould or well rotted compost to the soil. This can increase aeration and allow water to drain more effectively. You could also use a garden fork or aerator to create small holes in areas of your grounds or garden that have compacted soil. This helps water penetrate and drain more effectively.
- Reducing water runoff- One of the most easily overlooked factors that significantly contributes to waterlogging is water runoff. There are a range of factors that can cause this, but a simple solution for reducing waterlogging is to replace impermeable areas with more permeable substrates. For example, replacing concrete or paved patios and paths with gravel can significantly reduce rain water run off, and keep your gardens and grounds in top condition.
- Regular maintenance and care- As well as improving soil drainage and water runoff, you could also reduce the potential for waterlogging by taking regular maintenance steps to care for your soil. These could include clearing gutters and drains to make sure that these are free from leaves and debris to prevent blockages. This allows your gutters to work as they should, preventing runoff, and keeps your drainage system in good condition in preparation for heavy rain. You should also be regularly pruning overgrown plants to reduce shading, which can prevent soil and grass from drying out after heavy rain, and encourage dampness.
For high quality, professional and reliable gardens and grounds maintenance you can count on, all year round, get in touch with the experts today, here at Green Scenery. We are Preston’s leading garden and grounds maintenance experts for both commercial and residential properties.