One day of rain rarely worries gardeners. But when the showers continue for three or four days without a break, it becomes a different story altogether.

The soil refuses to dry, pots remain heavy long after the rain has stopped, and plants that looked perfectly healthy at the start of the week suddenly begin to lose their shine. Leaves turn pale, stems soften, and flowers fade far sooner than expected.

Many people assume the solution is simply to wait for the sun to return. But by then, the damage beneath the soil may already have begun. Roots need air just as much as they need water, and when they stay waterlogged for days, they struggle to keep the plant alive.

The good news is that a few simple steps during the rainy season can make all the difference.

1. Give water a way out

If puddles start forming around your plants, don't wait for them to disappear on their own. The longer water sits around the roots, the higher the risk of root rot.

Use a trowel, a stick, or even the handle of a broom to create shallow channels that guide water away from the planting area. They only need to be three to five centimetres deep and should slope gently towards a lower part of the garden.

If you have raised beds, make sure the channels drain excess water without washing away the soil. Check them after every heavy shower, as leaves and mud can block them quickly.

2. Get pots off the ground

Many potted plants suffer because their drainage holes become blocked with mud or remain........

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