ORGANIC BASICS
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Rainstorms
With an increase in extremes, an Australia
that is drier overall will nevertheless have
more severe rainstorms, but we can make
changes to our own gardens to manage the
extra water. When we retain and slow the
passage of water from our gardens in urban
areas, the resulting overall reduction in run-off
has enormous benefits for our community as a
whole, minimising flooding for our neighbours
in the lowest-lying areas while also improving
environmentalstormwateroutcomes.
Mulch and groundcovers improve
penetrationandreduceerosionandrun-off.
Swales and mound gardens can help direct
the flow of water into desired routes, away
from structures. Create raised beds to lift
plantrootsabovewaterlogging.
Contour paths to divert water to one
side that can act as a drain. In truly flood-
prone gardens, install agricultural drains
tospeedwateregress.
Minimise hard surfaces around the
garden as these concentrate water into
smaller areas and increase run-off; use
permeablepaversondriveways.
Choose plants that tolerate occasional
waterlogging(seeboxatleft).
Install rainwater tanks; if using gutter
guard to exclude debris, choose one with
larger holes to prevent sheeting of water
overtheedgeofthegutter.
Divert roof run-off or tank overflow to a
rain garden area or unlined pond (retention
basin)ratherthanstraightintothestreet.
Add gypsum and organic matter to clay
soils to improve permeability.Plants tolerant of
occasional waterloggingCheckyourlocal nursery for plantsbestsuitedtoyourregion.Bamboos
Blueberryash(Elaeocarpus
reticulatus)
Bottlebrushes (Callistemon –
manybutnotall species)
Cannas
DogwoodsPaperbarks(Melaleuca –
manyspecies)
Rushes&sedges
Swampbanksia(Banksia robur)
Weeping tea tree
(Leptospermum
brachyandrum)Left and below: Ensure run-off
from gutters flows into a water
tank or garden beds.
Below left: Raised beds lift plants
so they don’t get waterlogged.PHOTOS: LEFT: ALAMY/THIS PAGE: ISTOCK.