![Digging deeper Digging deeper](https://cdn.magzter.com/1422863696/1737001470/articles/s0GwYYG-61738559155098/DIGGING-DEEPER.jpg)
Rain gardens to play a key role as flood risks rise
Rainfall in the UK is increasing, in frequency and intensity, resulting in longer dry spells followed by more intense rainfall, with significant variation in local areas. The sudden deluges overwhelm drainage systems, leading to surface water flooding. Research from the University of Bristol warns that flood risk in the UK has been increasing by 1.4 per cent each year since 1990.
In 2024, flood reinsurance scheme Flood Re estimated that the £2.9 million UK gardeners spend annually on their gardens is at risk of being washed away. However, gardens have a role to play and can function as an effective flood-prevention tool, as Dr Ed Barsley, founder of The Environmental Design Studio, explains: “The majority of people aren’t aware that their garden or home is at risk of flooding until it’s too late. However, there are practical and cost-effective measures that garden owners can take to save stress further down the line.”
Managing surface water by means of sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) is a hot topic in landscape design and planning. Designed to mimic natural drainage, SuDS ensure that surface water is channelled away through more sustainable water courses such as soakaways, swales, green/blue roofs and rain gardens. In doing so, they improve water quality, increase biodiversity and provide vital habitats for wildlife.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة February 2025 من BBC Gardeners World.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة February 2025 من BBC Gardeners World.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
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Sweet pickings
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ON TEST Mini chainsaws
Take the strain out of pruning trees and shrubs with a handy, battery-powered, mini chainsaw. Harry Duncton puts six products to the test to see if they make the cut
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DIY garden projects
To end his series, Henry Agg explains how to make a rainwater pond filled with aquatic plants
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Act now for wildlife
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Make the most of your kitchen garden
Getting out into the garden in winter, even for short spells, keeps things ticking over, especially fruit and veg crops, as Adam Frost explains
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YOUR PRUNING MONTH
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Garden globetrotting Seville
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Potting on a winter show
Nick Bailey saves the best till last, ending his winter container series with a vibrant display packed with plants in rich plums and silver
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Growing THE GOOD LIFE
Join urban smallholder Sara Ward as she begins the month with a few key jobs for the year ahead
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Sowing for Success
Start your growing year on the right footing with Monty's timely guide to sowing a garden full of colour and flavour