Article added: 18th July 2007

It has been one the wettest summers in history with above average rain for June and July. The recent torrential rain caused much flooding across the UK. Many gardens have been waterlogged for weeks and surface water has become stagnent. Topsoil is compacted and plant roots are without oxygen.

Beneficial garden creatures such as worms are either dead or have been driven deep underground. Without their burrowing it will take time for the soil to return to normal. In the meantime plants especially those that are shallow rooted will make little growth and may die.

Home and gardening has put together 10 tips to help get your waterlogged garden back on it's feet:

1. Avoid walking on waterlogged ground: it wil churn it up into mud and the soil structure will be lost.

2. Whenever possible, drain water away from plants towards the boundary or gravel area where it can gradually soak away.

3. Until summer weather is resumed, divert pond overflows to a proper drain rather than into the soil. If it continues to rain lower the level of the water in ponds.

4. To aerate the soil, spike soggy ground as deeply as possible using a digging fork.

5. Pick off leaves infected with Blackspot, Botrytis, Mildew or other fungal diseases.

6. Redesign the garde to eliminate low lying ground or convert a problem area to a permanently boggy site for moisture loving plants such as Hostas.

7. House and conservatory plants that were outside for their summer holidays should be brought back inside. Clean the pots, check for pests such as slugs and allow the compost to drain before placing on tables and window ledges.

8. Be optimistic. Buy another water butt to take the overflow before the season is out you will be glad of the surplus.

9. Strawberries and Raspberries will probably be mouldy and should be removed before neighbouring fruit is lost.

10, Perennials have been battered by rain and wind and will benefit from some TLC. Support flowering shoots and raise flattened foliage away from other plants, especially where it is lying on lawn edge.

Source: www.homeandgardening.co.uk