Growing Plants in a Wet Climate

Wet climates create difficult growing conditions for many plants as the excess of water fills the gaps between the soil and the roots preventing the roots from functioning properly. This makes the plant wilt and look like it is not getting enough water but in reality it is literally drowning.

When planning your garden choose plants that are hardy and will thrive in wet soil. There are several types of plant that will survive well in these conditions. Trees and shrubs such as liquidambar, ash, sambucus, willows and poplars will thrive in wet conditions. Flowers that are strong enough to withstand periods of waterlogging are harder to find, although there are a few such as irises, cassamia, marsh marigold, cattails, rogersia, astilbe, and cardinal flower.

It is also important to consider the location of your plants when you are planning the garden. Keep them away from wall, fences, or other plants that may block the amount of light they receive. This also allows air to circulate better and help to dry out the soil. Likewise, keep weed growth to a minimum, continually plucking weeds as you see them crop up, as they too will prevent your plants from receiving all the air they can.

Prior to planting keep an eye on the different areas of your garden, wait until after a rainy spell and identify any areas where soil has become waterlogged and compacted (it will begin to form puddles on the surface), this indicates the worst areas to plant. Before planting and before it starts to rain, till humus, peat moss, compost and/or aged manure into the soil, as each of these will help to increase the air spaces in the soil that get clogged up by waterlogging. Never till wet soil though. Tilling wet soil will damage its structure and take years to repair.

Another trick to avoid waterlogging in wet climates is to raise the garden bed, this makes plants sit higher and allows water to drain beneath them. Use well drained top soil containing lots of organic matter, at this drains best in wet conditions. Raising the gardens also has the added benefit that it makes the soil looser, allowing roots to penetrate the soil more easily. When planting, remember to leave plenty of room between the plants to give them maximum room for air circulation around the roots.

It is also important to be aware that waterlogged soil is very easy to compact. When it has been raining for a period of time you should try to stay out of the garden as standing or kneeling on the soil will cause it to compact and reduce drainage even further.

Waterlogging also makes the damp, wet conditions that are ideal for fungal growth. You can try to prevent this by applying fungicides that are available from your local garden centre. If you find plants that have been affected badly by this disease, make sure you remove them from the garden to prevent the disease from settling in the flower bed and effecting next seasons' plants.

Also remember to keep up the water once the rainy periods has finished, as your plants will have become used to large amounts of water. Once the sun comes out you will need to continue giving them plenty of water, slowly reducing the amount over time so that they are equipped to deal with the upcoming drier conditions.

Each of these tricks and tips will help you and your plants to keep your heads above water until the rainy season ends. After that you will deserve some time out in the sunshine!