What happens when Mother Nature throws an atmospheric river curveball, and your yard or garden is now under water from heavy rains or floods?
Good garden soil contains pore spaces filled with water and air. Both are necessary for healthy roots and beneficial soil-dwelling organisms. When the pore spaces fill with water, air is no longer available to the root system, and the roots become susceptible to root-rot organisms.
Once the floodwaters have receded, there are a few things you can do to minimize the damage to your plants from flooding:
Remove any debris, such as mud and silt, that may have shifted and accumulated on your plants.
If the soil is waterlogged, improve drainage by digging furrows to redirect water away from plants.
Check the soil for compaction and loosen it up with a garden fork. This will help to improve drainage and make it easier for water and nutrients to reach the roots of your plants.
Wait until the soil dries out before working with it to reduce additional compaction. Avoid walking on waterlogged soil to prevent compaction and further root damage. Stay off your lawn!
Inspect your plants for damage to the roots, leaves, and stems. Remove any damaged parts.
Remove contaminated material. Consider that any garden produce touched by floodwater may be contaminated and discard it. While the risk of contamination is low in residential areas, runoff from septic systems, pastures, or industrial areas can carry potentially harmful microbes and chemicals.
Monitor your plants closely for signs of stress, such as wilting or discoloration, and address any issues that arise as soon as possible.
Recovering from a flood can be a difficult and time-consuming process, but with proper care and attention, your garden can recover and thrive. â–
