Flooding a site: how to save plants

Land plots located in lowlands, floodplains of rivers, with a high level of groundwater are at risk of flooding. A good example is the current rainy spring in the Moscow region, when many summer cottages were under water. Our tips site will show you how you can save plants from the flood.

We note right away that experts identify two types of hydrological problems:

1. Flooding. This is the name for situations when groundwater rises, a water horizon.
2. Flooding. This is already covering the site with thawed, rainwater or rivers, lakes that overflow the banks.

Most often summer residents and owners of private houses are faced with flooding, especially in spring. The portal wrote in detail about how to eliminate the consequences of a flood in a private house. But the situation often does not reach such an emergency, but on the site the water after heavy showers and melting snow can stand for weeks. And this can have a very negative effect on plants..

Important! Experts note that areas on elevations, as well as plots with sandy soils, which perfectly absorb moisture, are minimally at risk of flooding. But if the soil is clayey, the water will stagnate and harm the roots of plants..

Preventive measures in low-lying areas and with high groundwater levels should be taken without waiting for flooding. Arrange the drainage system, protect the foundation and basement with waterproofing, and so on.

In the same way, you need to think carefully about the choice of plants and their planting. Great for planting in flood-prone areas, beautiful spreading willows. They literally absorb water, helping to quickly get rid of the effects of heavy rains. In addition, bird cherry, hazel and sea buckthorn are among the moisture-loving ones, which will only “say thank you” for the puddles under the trunk. Mature apple trees, pears, plums, cherries, walnuts, cherry plums, hawthorns also tolerate floods well. Conifers suffer most from stagnant water in the area, some may even die..

Raised beds will become a salvation for gardeners and truck farmers, whose plots are located in the lowlands and are at risk. It is not difficult to establish such a “smart” garden, and the plants will be protected from stagnant water on the site and will survive even in the event of incessant rains and significant flooding..

A very effective method of combating flooding of the site is ditches around the perimeter. In the Soviet years, they were dug everywhere in horticultural associations. Now many summer residents and homeowners neglect this and completely in vain! It is advisable to equip the so-called French drainage, when the ditches dug along the perimeter of the site are covered with gravel and sand, allowing water to pass through.

Of course, when the water is knee-deep on the site, you can’t do anything special. You just need to wait for the water to subside a little. But if we are talking about a small flooding, you need to take emergency measures. Experts advise to dig three or four holes up to a meter deep in different parts of the allotment. According to the laws of physics, water will drain into the lowest place and the area will dry out much faster. Digging holes in wet soil, of course, is not easy, but the chances of saving plants are significantly increased.

In addition, the most valuable specimens of perennials can be urgently dug up. We are talking about young seedlings of trees and shrubs, which can be carefully dug up and temporarily placed in pots, containers, flowerpots with light soil, which includes peat.

After the water has disappeared, we strongly advise you to immediately loosen the soil and pour dry peat under the perennials, which will absorb the remaining moisture. It will not be superfluous to treat plants with anti-stress drugs, for example, “Immunocytophyte” or “Zircon”, as well as to carry out preventive treatment against the appearance of fungal diseases.

We recognize that the measures described above during severe floods, when the water is high for a long time, do not always help to save the plants. But in most cases, prompt and correct actions of the owners allow you to save plantings and quickly get rid of flooding..