Our garden does pretty well with the rain because we are effectively on terraces which act similar to raised garden beds with well-drained soil.
Most plants, particularly veggies and fruit trees hate waterlogged soil and keeping their surface roots out of the deluge is key. Designing ways to harness all the water but also keep surface roots out of waterlogged soil is one of the key aspects of a thriving garden.
Believe it or not great soil needs to have about 25% air gaps. When these gaps are filled with water, problems start. Possible solutions include swales, French drains and mounds all in the right places using the slope to direct the water where you want it, and let it drain where you don’t.
Harvesting pumpkins, potatoes, basil, peas, leafy greens, lemons and a few beetroot. Trying to cram as much of that as possible onto the dinner table with varying success as usual.
I’ve decided to try out a different strategy with plants I’m struggling with. After dedicating quite a lot of space to brassica’s for very little in the way of success, pots might be the go. Experiment with marginal crops elsewhere and get some bulk food out of the prime real estate. Yacon and Jerusalem Artichoke are two crops that will give me a reliable output and are well worth the little effort I need to put in.
Hope the water didn’t cause too much havoc with your place, and happy growing!
Galaxy Garden Update June 2025
Loads of rain – over 200mm – now sunny skies and getting crispy cool at night. You can see the growth in some of the plants now that the soil is really damp and the sun is out.
