IT’S RAINING IT’S POURING - THE LOSS OF MARLOW’S FRONT GARDENS.

With increasing numbers of cars comes the need to park them. Marlow was once full of many front gardens, instead paved or concrete parking replaces them, often with no plant borders at all and whilst this may make life more convenient, it poses challenges we do need to address.

Now when it rains hard, water can be seen streaming down roads and into drains, often overflowing drains. Sustained rain like we are having at the moment is seeing concrete and paved areas guiding water to drains, and with that comes the risk that all sorts of undesired pollutants can end up in our precious river.

SO WHAT CAN WE DO? Below are some ideas to help reduce this surface flooding and also help nature find places to thrive.

INSTALL WATER BUTTS - Useful when it’s dry, useful when it’s wet.. Water butts will help prevent your soakaways from getting overwhelmed and help irrigate your garden in dryer periods.

SELECT DRIVEWAY SURFACES THAT ALLOW WATER TO SOAK AWAY
Driveways and parking spaces can be one of the trickiest spaces when it comes to surface water. Whilst it makes an ideal surface for your car, paving these areas with concrete, asphalt or block paving can make it hard for water to soak away.

Do not remove all flower beds when planning your drive, wildlife need a place to live and the vegetation will absorb lots of water.
Go for loose stone or gravel that’ll allow water to drain through it.
If loose stone is no good, lay paving slabs or block paving on hardcore not a concrete base, the ground can absorb water that way.

PLANT A VARIETY OF LEAFY VEGETATION
Plants and trees play an important role helping to intercept rain before it hits the ground. Large leafy plants, shrubs and trees scattered throughout your garden will absorb groundwater through their roots and catch some water on their leaves. They’ll also help to shelter bare ground, saving it from damage from intense rainfall.

Look for opportunities to add more plants in unexpected spaces. Even potted plants and containers can help – just try to use the largest pots you can for maximum benefit.

Of course, water is one thing, but the addition of native plants will give vital food and shelter to our declining wildlife.

So check out the front of your house and see what changes you can make. It is a win for everyone!

We are asking Marlow Households to join our Much Wilder Marlow Campaign to help build a nature corridor. Find out more at https://www.wildmarlow.org.uk/wilder_marlow.php