Eight fixes to save your garden after weeks of heavy rainfall

So far, 2026 has been a washout year. Many areas of the UK have experienced rain on most days since the start of January, with very few experiencing prolonged dry periods.

These wetter conditions are a consequence of climate change – a warmer atmosphere holds on average seven per cent more moisture for every one degree Cº of warming, so at 1.5 degrees Cº of warming, the atmosphere is holding over 10 per cent more moisture than pre-industrial times. This means that when it rains, downpours can be heavier and more intense, so there's more water landing on the ground.

Climate change is also bringing the UK wetter winters generally. According to the Met Office, winters are expected to feature more days with significant rainfall, particularly in western regions. Projections also indicate a greater likelihood of intense winter storms and successive storm events, much like those we have experienced this year.

What does this mean for our gardens? Well, they're wetter! For many, the ground is unworkable, soil is waterlogged and some plants may be damaged. But don't panic – here are eight tips to help you get your garden back on track for spring.

What to do now

Avoid walking on wet ground

The most important thing, when dealing with intense periods of rainfall, is to avoid walking on wet ground. Walking on wet soil can cause it to compact, which destroys soil structure and also makes it even less permeable to rain. If you have a lawn that you need to cross to get to the shed or compost area, you can add stepping stones to help you avoid compacting the ground. On vegetable patches and in ornamental borders, wait until conditions are drier before digging and/or planting, even if that means planting things later than you would have otherwise.

Delay planting

Wet soil takes longer to warm up, so while you may be itching to sow seeds of hardy crops like parsnips now, it's best to wait until conditions are warmer and drier. The same goes for larger tubers and half-hardy plants – if you have got away with planting potatoes in February before, good for you! But this year, hold off on planting them until conditions become drier, as otherwise the seed tubers may rot in the soil.

Save waterlogged plants

A few plants can cope with wet roots for a sustained period of time, but most can't. If you have plants growing in areas of standing water, use a garden fork to make holes in the soil to help the water drain away – you may need to push the fork deep into the soil and partially 'lift' the soil to open it up. If you have lost plants over this very wet period, consider replacing them with those more tolerant of wet conditions – see the RHS list of plants tolerant of both wet winters and dry summers. Alternatively, dig up vulnerable plants (such as anything you have lost in the past) in autumn and overwinter them in pots in an unheated greenhouse, and then plant them back out again when rainfall levels have fallen. For a long-term solution, however, it's best to grow plants tolerant of the conditions you have, and improve drainage.

Improve drainage

If areas of your garden are waterlogged now, it's likely they will become waterlogged every time you have a period of prolonged wet weather. So, by acting now, you can identify vulnerable spots and prevent waterlogging in future.

• The simplest way to aid drainage to an area over time is by adding organic matter. This increases worm activity, which opens up the soil and helps it absorb more water.
• Adding grit or gravel to the bottom of the planting hole can aid drainage for more vulnerable plants. You can also mound soil up and plant into the mound, which means the roots are less likely to be sitting in water during heavy rain.
• A waterlogged lawn can be improved by spiking holes in it with a fork – do this every autumn to improve drainage, or as and when you need to where water is puddling.
• For very waterlogged areas, particularly on heavy soil, you may need to install a drainage system such as a ditch, drain or soakaway.

How to prevent future waterlogging

Build raised beds

If drainage is a persistent issue, consider installing raised beds, which can be made with a good drainage layer at the base so they drain better than open ground. This can be useful for growing vegetables, and will enable you to start planting when other areas are still wet.

Install water butts

The more water you can save in water storage units such as water butts, the less lands on your garden, which could reduce the risk of the soil becoming waterlogged. This also means you can use winter water in summer, when conditions are drier. Invest in as many water butts and other water storage units as possible – you can buy large water storage tanks that hold thousands of litres of water – which you can then use to keep your garden hydrated in summer.

Grow more plants

The gardens that are best able to deal with large amounts of water are those that have the most plants! Every root system holds on to water, supports soil structure and is part of a system that returns nutrients to the soil, which further aids its ability to hold on to moisture. For the best water-absorbing root systems, plant a tree or hedge, making sure you choose species or varieties that will thrive in the conditions of your garden. Bare wall and fence space can be filled with climbing plants, while large containers can be used to grow plants on patios. All of these plants will contribute to your garden holding on to more rainwater while preventing waterlogging, and could even help prevent flooding in nearby areas, too.

Make a rain garden

Rain gardens are designed to hold as much water as possible after rainfall, and let it gently percolate back to the water table, without putting pressure on drainage systems. Boggy areas planted up with flood-tolerant plants such as hostas and astilbe will temporarily hold water until it slowly drains away. Garden ponds also hold water, while trees and hedges slow the pace at which water hits the ground, and also absorb huge amounts of water with their roots.