Flooding

[clareg]

OMG After two weeks of sunshine and drought conditions the heavens have opened in Preston tonight, causing mayhem. Roads are flooded and the grates of road drains have been pushed out. Worst of all my allotment is now under nearly a foot of water, I can't even see some of the crops such as the pumpkins!! To make matters worse, there was a rat swimming across the flood!!!

Argh

Clareg

[Sue]

Clareg
What a terrible thing to happen and in June too, we've got heavy rain coming our way down south at the end of the week according to the forecast, hope it's not as damaging as this.
It's a huge blow, you must be really upset, do keep us posted on what's happening, and rats swimming, the last straw I should think.
Commiserations and kind thoughts arn't much help to you but I'll send them anyway.
Sue

[jacob marley]

Provided the water go's away within 24 hours the crops should be ok if there is some ground lower than your plot dig a few trenchs and help it on it's way the rat should not worry you it's the sewer rats that are filthy best of luck jacob

[clareg]

Cheers Sue and jacob marley, both our neighbours allotments aren't flooded so I guess mine must be lower down or something. On two sides I have a tarmac roadway (not a public road) which is nearly a foot higher so I'm thinking the water is running off from there.

I'm going back tomorrow after work to look at the damage, I'll try and take some photos and keep you posted.

Clareg

[Alice]

What a shame Clareg - especially in June. But hopefully it will drain away as fast as it came. Have a look and see if there is anywhere you can dig a mini drain for it to run away. As for the rat - urgh! hopefully it's gone.

[uzboth]

this happened to me too recently, Just got everything growing nicely then the heavens opened and flooded my entire back yard. 2 Water butts were filled in just one night.

I came out of it ok actually and managed to save almost everything. I lost about 40 lettuce and a few garlics which disappeared into the mud left behind by the flood.

Straight away I had a roaring bonfire on the bed where the flood had been, it certainly helped get rid of the bogginess that remained afterwards and then dug the wood ashes into the soil along with plenty of sand, compost and peat. This has improved the drainage and done something to help the nutrients in the soil which I am sure were washed away with the water.

Now the patch has strawberries, tomato, courgettes and french beans growing and they are doing fantastic.

With a little hard work you will get things back on track, good luck

J

[momol]

OMG After two weeks of sunshine and drought conditions the heavens have opened in Preston tonight, causing mayhem. Roads are flooded and the grates of road drains have been pushed out. Worst of all my allotment is now under nearly a foot of water, I can't even see some of the crops such as the pumpkins!! To make matters worse, there was a rat swimming across the flood!!!

Argh

Clareg

I don't know what to say Clareg, apart for sorry. I never had such experience before, I hope you can save your babies.

Momol

[jacob marley]

The thing to do if the water drains away quickly before the ground sets like concrete because it will if the sun bakes it is to hoe or whatever way you culivate you crops to stop the surface going hard you have got to let the air in to keep the crops growing all the best hope it's all gone now jacob

[clareg]

Hi

Well I'm pleased to say that the flood water has retreated and there is very little damage. The pumpkins and potatoes are a bit dirty and some of the carrots have become exposed where the finer soil has been washed away which is easily fixed.

Thanks for the advice about hoeing jacob marley, never thought of that, I've got a bit of work ahead of me, but I've never minded that.

I've attached a photo, you'd never believe that 24 hours earlier most of the allotment was under water!

Clareg

[jacob marley]

Looks good hope alls well the ground do's get a crust on it when it dries out any way all the best jacob

[Flummery]

Glad it's not turned out to be the disaster you feared Clareg. It looks pretty good from the photo - how awful if all that work had been wasted. Bit of a tickle up and you're away again. Good luck!

[clareg]

Thanks Jacob and Flummery, its still raining pretty hard here in Lancashire, and the forecast says its here to stay for a while but hopefully some good will come of it, maybe my spuds will grow massive!

Clareg

[dexterdoglancashire]

We've certainly had some rain haven't we? Fortunately I didnt get caught in the floods on Leyland Road going home on Monday. Checked water container Tuesday am it was 150gallons - checked it tonight 180 gallons - thats just with water coming off my tiny little shed! Like you say Clare lots of rain around. Your photo of your lottie looks like its OK now. Best wishes Bernie

[Flummery]

Well it's pelting down here - I've just had my elderly Ma on the phone worrying about whether the rain is going to come in - there's standing water on her patio. Mind you, the step from her patio door is about 8" so it's got a long way to go!
Haven't ventured out yet today but I can see from the window that my waterbutt which collects from the garage roof and was empty 2 days ago is now full!

[moggssue]

It's still dry here, just the odd slight shower - sorry folks!! Hope those of you who have been drenched have dried out now and not had any crop damage.