Vegetable garden destroyed after floods: is my soil still fertile?

Storm and storm are among the calamities most feared by gardeners. Sometimes, in just a few minutes, a year’s work can be wiped out. The land, carefully worked, is washed away, the seedlings drowned and the crops lost. What to do after the storm when the ground is waterlogged?

The consequences of a flood

In some cases, particularly when a river overflows its banks, flooding can bring fertile sediments. But most of the time, stagnant water has a harmful effect on the garden: root rot, reduction of oxygen in the soil, soil erosion and sometimes unexpected pollution. In addition, muddy water suffocates the soil. The earth can, in fact, be contaminated by various chemicals or an overflow of wastewater from a septic tank. The damage caused depends on the duration and violence of the flood.

What to do in case of flooding?

At first, you must wait while facilitating the evacuation of the water. An effective idea is to dig channels that will lead the water out of the vegetable garden. You must avoid trampling the earth. Of course, it is recommended to harvest all the vegetables that can be harvested. They rot within a few days if submerged. The first task is to dry out the vegetable garden as quickly as possible.

Limit the damage of a flood

All plants that have deep roots absorb water more quickly. Likewise, cypress or even bamboo hedges (provided the extent of the rhizomes is controlled) limit the rise in water levels. This is also the case if your land is well drained. If you have built a , the water can be drained more quickly. Global warming favors the excesses of nature. Also, preventive measures are your best asset to mitigate the consequences of a flood.

Replanting after a flood

A soggy garden makes it easier for pests and diseases to appear. Applying an organic antifungal product is a good preventive measure. If your vegetables are lost, then you should consider replanting following the . It is recommended to allow a period of two to three weeks to facilitate the evacuation of the water. Once dry, the soil in your garden needs a good hoeing in order to aerate it, the water having made it more compact. Finally, be careful of slugs and snails that run and swarm in wet areas.