Too Much Water - Not Enough Drainage?

Komanui 3/9/2012, 6:52 pm

Aloha -

We have had torrential rains (13 inches in two days) between Mar 5-7 and continued rain since then. About half-way through, I put a tarp over the cover on the garden that had lettuces & herbs. Although my soil is consistently moist throughout (not extremely wet at the bottom), some of the plants have started to rot.

I'm wondering if I should drill additional drainage holes? Any other suggestions to prevent this in the future? Or is this just a function of the bad weather that couldn't be avoided?

Komanui

**walshevak** 3/9/2012, 7:04 pm

I would say it is the continuous rain and lack of sunshine that is causing the rot, but you did the right thing to protect the plants from further downpours. Just be careful to take the cover off during any periods of sunshine unless it is clear plastic, and watch for overheating underneath. I have friends in the Philippines, and they put hoops with covering just on the top so the sides are open because of all the excess rain they have gotten during the "dry" season. In spite of this, the ground couldn't drain off fast enough to prevent drowning veggies. It has been a strange winter.

Kay


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Too Much Water - Not Enough Drainage?

Too Much Water - Not Enough Drainage?

Re: Too Much Water - Not Enough Drainage?