In today’s world, our weather is becoming increasingly unpredictable and extreme. It’s not just the heatwaves that are breaking records. This year, the UK experienced its sixth wettest July on record, with 70% more rainfall than average. Northern Ireland also had its wettest July since 1836. In fact, six of the ten wettest years in the UK since 1862 have occurred since 1998.
According to data from the Met Office, the rainfall will only continue to increase. They forecast that by 2070, UK winters could be up to 4.5 degrees Celsius warmer with 30% more rain compared to 1990. Summers may be up to 6 degrees Celsius warmer and 60% drier, but the downpours will be up to 20% heavier in the summer and 25% heavier in the winter.
This heavier rainfall poses challenges for our gardens. It overwhelms our sewerage systems, erodes and damages the soil structure, and drowns plants. Designers are finding innovative ways to adapt to these changes. They are reducing run-off by building rain gardens and stormwater planters. They are also reducing hard landscaping and incorporating more plantings in patios and terracing.
One example of this adaptation is the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. On July 4, 2021, they experienced a month’s worth of rain in less than an hour. Paths were eroded, compost was washed out of flower beds, and plants were flattened. In response, the garden is replacing paths with porous materials like gravel and open aggregate. They have also expanded their drainage systems to slow down the run-off. Additionally, they are taking measures to control species that thrive in wetter conditions.
One of their adaptations is the creation of an experimental rain garden. A rain garden is a basin-shaped depression designed to intercept and slow down rainwater. It uses improved soil and plantings that can cope with both waterlogging and drought. The rain garden at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh aims to combat flooding and gather scientific data for organizations working on nature-based solutions for flooding prevention. It has already shown promising results, absorbing 30% more rain than a traditional lawn.
The garden also serves as a demonstration for visitors, showing them what they can do at home. The plantings in the rain garden are a mixture of perennials and grasses that can tolerate extreme conditions. They are layered according to their preferences for wet or dry conditions. The drainage of the site’s claylike soil was improved using a formula recommended by water management professionals. The rain garden has successfully reduced flooding and attracted the attention of individuals looking to implement similar solutions in their own gardens.
Other organizations, like the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, are also implementing rain gardens to combat flooding caused by concrete and tarmac run-off. These gardens not only reduce flooding but also help filter toxic materials from run-off and improve water quality. The Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust states that rain gardens can remove up to 90% of nutrients and chemicals and up to 80% of sediments from run-off.
In a domestic setting, a rain garden should be about 20% of the size of the run-off area, whether it’s a roof, lawn, or hard paving. There are a variety of “bombproof” plants recommended by the Royal Horticultural Society that can tolerate both wet and dry soil conditions. Examples include Sambucus nigra cultivars, Cornus sanguinea “Midwinter Fire,” and Iris sibirica.
For those with high water tables or limited space, a stormwater planter connected to a downpipe can be a viable alternative. These planters follow the same principles as rain gardens but on a smaller scale.
Creating green roofs is another effective way to deal with run-off. Excess water not absorbed by the green roof can be directed into linked pools or plantings.
All of these initiatives show that individuals can make a difference in combating climate change and adapting to the challenges it brings. By creating rain gardens, we can effectively manage rainwater and reduce the impact of flooding.
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