Watching the weather is par for the course for many gardeners, but with climate change, and extreme weather events becoming more frequent, we are all feeling the impact. Recent reports suggest that we have just experienced the wettest winter in 130 years, and with flood warnings widespread, the way in which we garden will need to change.
Most plants will tolerate a brief, one-off immersion, where the water quickly drains away, but ground that is boggy over long periods is a completely different situation. The season and the impact on dormant plants or those that are actively growing will also differ, as where water replaces air in the soil, roots are unable to breathe and they will rot and drown.
Gardens now need to be planned in such a way that they will accommodate excess water. Choosing plants that better suit the conditions is a good start; cultivars and are tolerant of moisture, for example, while (shown), and - the swamp cypress - actively
