Living with frequent drought makes dealing with torrential rains tricky. We want rain. We need rain. But, in the Hill Country, it's tough for the ground to absorb. Which leads to floods. Dangerous floods.
Beyond the frightening potential human toll, gardeners also have to deal with plant-killing floods. I just turned in my article for next week's Austin American Statesman, where I write about plants that "don't like to have wet feet." Today, that's gonna be all of the plants in my garden. That's from 3.34" this morning alone and 8.29" for the month.
Having lived through the sizzling, scorching drought, I am hesitant to wish for an end to the rain. But, geez, it can take a break for a little while -- enough already!
Our home sits downhill from several other homes and so we get run-off. Serious run-off! We have French drains and dry creeks in 3 separate places, designed to deal with days just like today.
And our drainage abatement IS working. Water is moving to where it's been directed.
The dry creek is no where near dry.
No sign of any let up right now, but it's ok, cuz the rain is "Rollin' down the river..." We also have a 10,000 gallon rainwater tank, which is totally full. I'd take a picture of the gauge and the tank for you, but I'd have to get wet. No thanks!
Glad your drainage is working for you and yeah on the full tanks. Cabin fever over here! I am watching as our dry creeks fill to the top and start moving. I notice one drain has a lot of leaves about to block it. I will have to go out and clear away the floating mess.
ReplyDeleteIt's good that water's going where you planned, AND that you have that gigantic water tank. I wish I did! I just put on my rain jacket to go make sure the pool overflow is working because the water level is so high. It's raining cats and dogs out there!
ReplyDeleteRock Rose - yes, it's moving, but not as quickly any more because the ground is soooo saturated. We did a lot of clearing during a fall deluge and reworked one of the dry creeks, adding more pipe, expandind access and adding a dry well also.
ReplyDeletePam - yes, my pool is about to the top. There's only one small pipe for overflow but it seems to be working. I just can't get over how much it's rained.
All this rain is pretty amazing though it would be nice to have a few days break. So far all the measures we've put in place are working too. I raised up more plants last year after a few were lost to floods. Your tank sounds great, we have plans for one but for now it's barrels.
ReplyDeleteShirley - I haven't raise up plants, but I am clearly going to need to at the end of one of the creeks. I've begun building up soil, but it's going to need a stacked or mortared wall if I want to have plants in it.
ReplyDeleteWe are getting a dry creek installed in June (I hope June). After some really strong rains this winter we had a new canyon running through the middle of my garden as the water was trying to find a path to the lower part of the yard. I just need to find out exactly where it is going in and move plants out of the way. Think they will move the larger shrubs, but I have too many baby struggling plants. Of course it is in one of the few full sun spots in the garden.
ReplyDeleteHope I have as much success as you have had with your water redirection. After almost no rain in April and early May, today we have received almost 5 inches...so far and more on its way over the next few days.
Janet - I feel for you. We've done a lot of work over time, expanding our capacity significantly last year, because our rains have been so severe. Good luck with your project.
ReplyDeleteI've been noticing all the rain you guys are having. It is so hard to complain about rain after experiencing some difficult droughts, but wow--that is a lot of rain for a place that doesn't get much. Your drainage systems are beautiful and inspiring. We have a few spots here where I'd like to add gravel drainage systems, but I'm deciding whether to do it myself or hire out. I hope the rain will slow down for you so our garden has a chance to recover.
ReplyDeleteI wondered if the rain out your rain was becoming a problem. I hope the spigot turns off soon. It's too bad you can't send it our way. The rain total here, since the start of the season last October 1st, is just 5.58 inches. That's trivial, even compared to last season's total.
ReplyDeleteBeth - Thanks. We install many dry creeks for our clients, drainage seems to be an issue for lots of homeowners around here. And they take up space in lieu of thirsty lawn, so they are a great design feature as well. It's really hard work to dig that trench and move those rocks - you're a brave woman if you do that yourself - good luck!
ReplyDeleteKris - The rain stopped Thursday afternoon and the sun's been out since then, but we have rain in our forecast for at least the next week. We normally have a lot of rain in May, but we've been having much more than normal this spring. The plants are on steroids, but rain instead of sun is starting to mean less blooms. That's Mother Nature, t hough!
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