If your lawn squelches underfoot and your borders resemble miniature lakes, you’re not imagining it. Recent weeks of persistent rain across the UK, widely reported by Met Office, have left many gardens waterlogged and gardeners wondering what to do next.
While rain is a gift to plants, too much of it can cause stress, disease, and disappointing growth. The good news? With a few thoughtful steps, you can help your garden recover and even thrive.
Think of this as gentle garden first aid.
🌧️ Step Carefully: Protect Wet Soil
When soil is saturated, its structure becomes fragile. Walking on it compacts air pockets that roots desperately need.
What to do:
Avoid treading on beds and borders until they’ve drained.
Use stepping stones or boards if you must cross soft ground.
Hold off on digging. Working wet soil often turns it into concrete once it dries.
Your plants will thank you for preserving their underground breathing space.
💧 Improve Drainage Where You Can
If puddles linger for days, drainage may need a helping hand.
Simple fixes include:
Clearing debris from drains and channels.
Forking compacted areas lightly to let water escape.
Adding organic matter (like compost or well-rotted manure) once things dry out to improve soil structure long-term.
For pots and containers, always check drainage holes. Elevating them slightly on pot feet can stop roots sitting in cold, stagnant water.
🍃 Watch for Disease
Warm, wet conditions are a paradise for fungal problems such as mildew and blight.
Keep an eye out for:
Yellowing leaves
Black spots
Soft or collapsing stems
Remove affected growth promptly and improve airflow around plants by thinning overcrowded areas. This alone can dramatically reduce disease pressure.
🌱 Feed Gently After the Deluge
Heavy rain washes nutrients out of the soil, leaving plants hungry.
Once conditions settle:
Apply a light general feed or liquid fertiliser.
Mulch borders to lock in goodness and suppress weeds.
Avoid overfeeding. Think “restorative snack,” not full banquet.
🌿 Lawn Care in Wet Weather
Lawns often suffer quietly during prolonged rain.
Delay mowing until grass is dry to avoid tearing and compaction.
If moss appears, it’s usually a sign of poor drainage or low nutrients. Treat later in spring when the ground firms up.
Brush off worm casts once dry rather than smearing them into the turf.
A little patience now prevents big repairs later.
🪴 Check Roots and Containers
Plants in pots are especially vulnerable to waterlogging.
Tip containers slightly after heavy rain to drain excess water.
Feel the compost before watering again. Rain may already have done the job.
If a plant looks unhappy, gently check its roots. Brown and mushy means rot. Repot into fresh compost if needed.
🌼 Embrace the Growth Spurt
On the bright side, rain fuels rapid growth. Weeds will surge, perennials will stretch, and everything looks greener overnight.
Stay ahead by:
Weeding little and often.
Supporting tall plants early.
Pinching back soft growth to encourage bushier shapes.
This is the season when small actions pay generous dividends.
Final Thought
Gardening in a wet spell is less about battling the weather and more about working with it. Protect your soil, keep an eye on plant health, and wait for drier days before major jobs. Your garden is remarkably resilient. Sometimes it just needs you to tread lightly and lend a helping hand.