How to drain a flooded garden

Table of Contents

• Do you need to drain a flooded garden?
• What can cause flooding?
• Water Pumps for Draining Flooded Gardens
  • What is a Water Pump and Why is it Useful for Flooded Gardens?
  • Types of Water Pumps for Garden Drainage
    • Submersible Pumps
    • Surface Centrifugal Pumps
    • Solids Handling Pumps
  • How to Choose the Right Water Pump for Your Garden
  • Step-by-Step Guide to Using a Water Pump for Draining a Flooded Garden
• Drainage systems for gardens
  • Simple ditches
  • French ditches
  • Land drains
  • Soakaway drainage
  • Channel drainage
• How do you drain a waterlogged garden?

Do you need to drain a flooded garden?

The short answer is yes, when it is noted that there is water sitting on a garden’s surface, it is vital to act fast. Why? The answer is simple. As much as water is essential to the earth and human survival, excess water in your garden can cause root rot to all plants within your outdoor living space. It, slightly superficially, will also ruin the aesthetic of the outdoor living space created. The good news is that there are various solutions for fixing and preventing the problem from happening again in the future.

What can cause flooding?

Some reasons for a garden becoming flooded can include, but are not limited to; uneven surfaces within the garden, underground springs that could have changed the water flow direction after a lot of rain and, finally, a pool installation. As an example with regard to pools, water pumps are the ideal solution, though for the first two, the below advice on garden water drainage solutions is the safest bet.

Water Pumps for Draining Flooded Gardens

What is a Water Pump and Why is it Useful for Flooded Gardens?

A water pump is a device designed to remove excess water from flooded areas quickly and efficiently. It is particularly useful in gardens with persistent waterlogging, as it helps prevent plant root rot and landscape damage. Water pumps can rapidly move large volumes of water, making them an essential tool for emergency drainage.

Types of Water Pumps for Garden Drainage

1. Submersible Pumps

• Designed to be placed directly into the water.
• Ideal for quickly pumping out standing water.
• Works best in deeper puddles and waterlogged areas.

2. Surface Centrifugal Pumps

• Positioned above ground and used to transport water over long distances.
• Suitable for redirecting excess water into a drainage system or soakaway.

3. Solids Handling Pumps

• Built to handle water mixed with debris and mud.
• Useful for gardens with muddy flooding conditions.

How to Choose the Right Water Pump for Your Garden

Choosing the right pump depends on several factors:

• Garden size – Larger areas may require a more powerful pump.
• Depth of flooding – Shallow puddles may only need a small pump, while deeper areas require a submersible pump.
• Water type – If the water contains mud or debris, a solids handling pump is the best option.

Step-by-Step Guide to Using a Water Pump for Draining a Flooded Garden

1. Choose the right pump based on the severity of flooding.
2. Place the pump in the lowest point of the flooded area.
3. Connect the hose and direct water away from the garden, ideally into a drainage system or designated runoff area.
4. Monitor the process and move the pump as needed until the water is drained.
5. Aerate and dry the soil using tools such as a garden fork to prevent future waterlogging.

Drainage systems for gardens

Simple ditches

In order to create a simple ditch, you first need to find an appropriate slope within the garden so the water can drain into the ditch. Once the appropriate slope has been found, digging can commence. Begin by digging a ditch around 90cm deep and remember to make use of trenching equipment for ease. It is imperative to make use of sloping sides for this method to work and remember to dig out at the lower end of the slope. This is a simple yet effective method for single-spot waterlogging that could be done by anyone.

French ditches

The purpose of a French ditch is to redirect water from your garden surface into a drain system, in order to drain a flooded garden. These ditches are typically 15cm wide and 30cm deep. A French ditch can be created by firstly, finding a slope and digging a horizontal trench into the drain. Using a string and string level the ditch can be easily adjusted. Line the trench with landscape fabric and add gravel on top. Ensuring an even spread to maintain the slope then fold the excess fabric over the top. Repeat the process with the gravel one more time, then cover evenly with topsoil. This method has extra steps compared with the simple ditch, though is still a highly effective method for improving garden drainage.

Land drains

The concept of a land drain is much the same as the French drain. The difference is perforated plastic pipes or corrugated land drain pipes are required for this solution. Why perforated pipes? The answer is simple, the water can get inside more easily and will be more evenly distributed. This concept is far more useful for issues with several spots of waterlogging in the ground. This method however, is a big job that should only be completed by certified landscapers.

Soakaway drainage

Soakaway drainage can be a useful way to slowly drain flooded garden water into the ground, rather than allowing it to sit on the ground’s surface. The best part is that once it is installed, you would never know it was there.
Here is how to install one.

First, either a plastic or concrete crate is required. Following this, a hole needs to be dug into the ground big enough to fit the crate into the ground. These can be used in conjunction with french and/or channel drains. When installing soakaway drains it is imperative to remember that they must be installed in ground that is lower or at the same level of your property. They need to be at least 5 meters away from any building, road or boundary. They may require installation even further away if the ground is sloping away from the property in question.

Channel drainage

Channel drainage systems for gardens are most appropriate for paved and concrete areas. They essentially sit just below the surface of the ground and are covered by a grill. Usually sitting flush against the ground, this allows them to collect water from the ground. This prevents water running from the paved area further into the garden and can run into a rain water drain system or soakaway.

How do you drain a waterlogged garden?

As is evident there are a multitude of solutions to drain flooded gardens, some of which can even be used together to create the perfect drain system within any garden. A lot of the methods require installation by qualified landscapers or engineers, due to the difficulty and requirements for installation. Though there are some simpler methods that can be done by anyone. Before carrying out any drainage work in a garden, always check whether you need a licensed landscaper in order to complete the work. Ultimately once a solid drainage system is running through a garden, it will protect all plants from rot and improve the look of a garden in the wet weather.