Possibly a dumb question...

I've got lots of young plants planted out and in containers. The whole garden is waterlogged and has been for quite a while because we've had so much rain. I'm at the point where I'm considering covering some of the plants and surrounding area because the compost/soil they are in is so sodden and I'm worried that the plants won't like their roots being constantly soaked. I don't think they are actually sitting in water, but the ground/compost is constantly wet.

Is this a viable option or am I being overly protective?

 

The containers will be fine Merle , they are generally a minimum of 300mm high so quite a lot of space for the water to drain through . I had some Fatsia and Sweetpeas out in 3-4" pots , and they got sodden . To wet for my liking , so back in the GH with newspaper on the bottom of the seedtray to dry them out a bit .
PS: No such thing as a dumb question in gardening

 

Cheers Armandii I new I would get something right eventually on GC

 

Thanks gents, much appreciated

 

Not heard that one before, good idea. Reverse-capillary-matting

 

I planted some garlic, from pots, into my raised beds a few weeks ago. Couldn't believe how wet the beds were ... I ought really to have covers for them for the next-area-to-be-planted-in-wet-seasons.

Not much you can do with things planted out, covering them will keep the wet off the leaves, but the soil will still get just as wet by capillary action from the surrounding, saturated, soil.

I would make sure the containers are off the ground / paving - a small stone under each corner will do. Just so that the water can more easily escape from the drainage holes in the base. Covering the containers (or moving them under a carport or similar) will stop them getting saturated, of course, if that is an option?

All my plant-in-pots have just been left out on the terrace and I have not had to water them for weeks!

 

Hi Kirsten.

The plants are all raised on pot feet, so the drainage is good

I have got a greenhouse but not much room in there as I use it for storage of my gardening things, and no carport. No matter, as long as the drainage isn't a problem then hopefully they will be okay.

I am going to dig over the borders this weekend - the bits surrounding where I've planted things should drain okay as I mixed in lots of compost, but the rest of it is a quagmire so I'm going to mix in some gravel, sharp sand and compost, especially at the bottom of the slope where the water collects most.

 

You just have to be careful with the reverse watering Kristen , if you do leave it a bit too long the plant can revert to a seed

 

he,he,he