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Gardeners' Question Time

Discussion & Talk

Factual: Homes & Gardens: Gardens

Horticultural programme featuring a group of gardening experts

A panel of horticultural experts answer gardening questions from a live audience. Recorded in a different location each week

BBC Radio 4 LW

Gardeners' Question Time: Chard: Floods Special

Chard, Somerset

11/04/2014

Chard: Floods Special

BBC Radio 4 - Gardeners' Question Time, Chard: Floods Special

Peter Gibbs hosts the horticultural panel programme from Chard, Somerset.

Peter Gibbs hosts the horticultural panel programme from Chard, Somerset. Bob Flowerdew, Anne Swithinbank and Christine Walkden take the questions from local gardeners.

Peter Gibbs hosts a special edition of GQT looking at the effects of the winter floods on gardens across the country. Taking questions from local gardeners and correspondents are Bob Flowerdew, Anne Swithinbank and Christine Walkden.

Peter visits the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology on the banks of the Thames in Oxfordshire, and Matt Biggs visits an eco-garden designed to use excess rainfall to its advantage.

Produced by Victoria Shepherd.
Assistant Producer: Darby Dorras.
A Somethin' Else Production for BBC Radio 4.


Q. What would the panel suggest to get my clay soil back to its best condition after a period of flooding?
A. It is a matter of adding lots of organic matter and encouraging the worms for aeration. Try to cultivate a really good compost heap to allow you to gradually bring it back to health. 
Although some plants may come into leaf as normal, it is often twelve months to two years before they actually die.
If the roots have been killed off, Anne suggests pruning back to prevent top growth and moisture loss. However, Bob suggests that if the plant has remained dormant, the woody head of the plant will provide the energy needed for new root growth.
If you have alkaline soil, a lot of the lime will have washed away and vegetable growers will particularly struggle. The soluble fertility will also have gone, so try adding blood, fish and bone.

Q. My garden was underwater for days over Christmas. How can I help the plants that have survived such as Lavender, Alpines and Fatsia Japonica?
A. It is a case of waiting and not disturbing the soil. However, you should remove any build up of silt because certain plants won't be able to photosynthesis. Don't fertilize until you have seen a fair amount of growth because feeding after a period of stress can burn the roots.

Q. Could the panel suggest some drought resistant plants that could also survive being waterlogged?
A. Take a look at the RHS Award of Garden Merit plants. They have undergone rigorous testing in lots of locations and under lots of conditions.

Q. Could the panel suggest some colourful plants to be added to a wet area with fast running streams?
A. They would need to be quite robust and to knit themselves into the soil. Try Butomus, a flowering rush with lovely pink flower heads. Also look at using Delmera peltata with its parasol-like leaves, or Caltha palustris would do very well. The Troillius family would also do very well such as the Chinensis variety. Thuggish types such as Primula denticulata with their thick root system would bind the soil well. Although considered a weed by many, the Golden Dock loves wet conditions and is a beautiful rare native. 

Q. My garden was flooded for five hours during the North Sea surge. Most of the plants have died, but can I still save plants such as Flooded Euonymus, Box, Bay and Yews?
A. The salt will remain for a while but a small amount can act as a fertiliser. It may have ruined the soil texture. Try adding gypsum.

Q. I hate to throw plants away. What should I do with shop bought Hyacinths to ensure that they will flower next year?
A. Hyacinths naturalise really well. Keep them watered until they start to die down and then plant them out in the borders.

Q. I have kept tubers from last year's Dahlias. I have now noticed tiny pink growths appearing. Is this new growth or something more sinister?
A. It appears to be a bacterial infection. It is caused when the initial growth becomes infected and causes cell proliferation. It often stays within the roots, but don't plant it back into your soil.

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