I have gardening withdrawal symptoms. The water table has been so high that we’ve not been able to do much work on the allotment since November, and the recent rains have left us flooded for the third time. In fact, we’ve been flooded for so long that the water is growing algae!
Our greenhouse was quite badly damaged by storm Ciara, but storm Dennis rang its death knell. We’ll salvage what we can and try to cobble something together from the remains.
We’ve learned a valuable lesson from this, and that’s to build raised beds.
We took on this plot knowing that it could flood, but after a couple of dry years we became complacent. The rest of the allotment site is on higher ground, so we get to watch other plot holders merrily tending to their plants whilst we paddle around checking for casualties.
The honesty really isn’t happy with the current state of affairs, and the slugs are rampaging through the hyacinths:
But on the whole, I’m surprised by how well everything else is coping. Our hellebore has never looked so healthy, even though it’s standing in water:
The crocuses have their heads above water (for the most part):
And the primulas are loving the extended pond and bog garden:
I’ve seen footage on the news of flooding in other parts of the country and I think we’ve got off lightly all things considered. I hope, wherever you are, that your feet are dry and your plants are happy.
A Whole Plotta Love 
Good to know it’s not just our plot that has been submerged all winter!
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Do you have any plans to tackle the flooding? We love our plot, and don’t want to move, but I think future-proofing it from future floods is going to be expensive, and limited.
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The obvious things to try are raising the level of the soil or building raised beds. Both of these are expensive. We are trying the planting route with strategic planting of fruit trees and other water thirsty plants. We have a living arch of willow over a bench in one wet part of our plot and as the trees grow they should lessen the flooding. It’s a long term plan though and may take a few years to see results. We don’t want to move plot either but I have asked to be put down for a half plot (non-flooding!) so we can grow stuff without it getting drowned!
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We’re looking into raising our beds and adopting a no-dig approach, but it will have to be one bed at a time as and when we can afford it.
I like your idea of willow structures. We have an entire plot of willow next door to us. I hate to think how much worse our flooding would be without them. Putting your name down for an extra half point sounds a very good idea. Unfortunately, we’re limited to one plot only on our site, otherwise I’d be tempted to do the same.
I’m quite tempted to start growing candelabra primulas and irises, and turning the plot into a bog garden – it’s already full of reeds!
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Sounds like a good idea – I am thinking of putting in a mini wildlife pond to sort out the lowest part of the plot
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Amazing what loves to grow in water. Bummer about all the damage. But I know you both will make the best of what mother nature has left in her wake. Beautiful colors on all those flowers. xxkathy
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We’re about half way through flood recovery now. Our motto has become ‘it is what it is’ and this allows us a level of acceptance of the results!! I’ve also managed to squeeze in a cut flower bed so the flood definitely has had some positives! Xx
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I agree, you must just accent that your going to live with what mother nature lets you. I accepted that way of life a long time ago, lol it is what it is, and thats all it can be!! xx
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