VOA健康报道2023--How Gardeners Can Deal with Floods

How Gardeners Can Deal with Floods

Water is required for plant life. But what happens when there is too much of a good thing?

That has been the case in many parts of the world this summer. Scientists say extreme rainfall happens more often now as storms form in an atmosphere made warmer by climate change.

Nick Goltz is head of the UConn Plant Diagnostic Laboratory¹ at the University of Connecticut in Storrs, Connecticut. He said too much water can mean dead plants in a garden.

Goltz explained that flooding cuts off the oxygen supply which leads to root-rot diseases². And then plants cannot pull enough water to survive. The result is yellow, weakening³ leaves, which would usually show a plant's need for water. But after flooding, those same signs mean that roots under water cannot function in really wet conditions.

What you can do

Avoid walking on wet soil if your garden has been affected⁴ by flooding. Wait until the soil has mostly dried before looking at the damage. Adding any weight or pressure to wet soil can cause even more oxygen to be pressed out from around struggling roots.

A plant with just a few signs of damage may recover, but a plant that is completely weakened⁵ probably will not, Goltz said. He added that plants with strong, deep roots – like trees and yearly⁶ returning plants – have the best chances of recovery⁷.

Annuals are plants that live for less than a year. Their roots are not as deep and they are at risk if flooded. Goltz advised removing annuals if they look unhealthy.

Plants weakened or stressed by flood water can more easily get diseases and unwanted insects. So keep an eye on them and treat problems as they come, which could be months later.

Broken tree branches should be removed immediately. But save any major removal⁸ of leaves and branches for when conditions improve to avoid further weakening an already stressed tree.

Are fruits and vegetables safe to eat?

Flooded fruits, vegetables, and other crops should be considered unsafe and not eaten.

Goltz said, "If the part you're eating touches the water, then it's unsafe," even if washed or cooked. That is because in addition to bacteria from standing⁹ water, runoff from nearby gardens, chemicals, and other waste could be present, Goltz added.

However, if your garden was flooded but the food part of the plant was not, "then it can be eaten," Goltz said. But even then, he said, it is best to wash and cook the food part.

Repairing the soil

After dealing¹⁰ with your plants' needs, turn your attention to the flooded soil, which will also need some care. Flooded soil loses nutrients¹¹ and can damage the way water flows through it. Mixing in compost will help on both counts and mixing in sand will improve the way water flows through it as well.

If you live in an area that easily floods, there are steps you can take to avoid or lessen¹² future damage, such as growing vegetables in higher areas or raised beds. Or you could direct water away from the plants you care about most.

Words in This Story

garden – n. an area of ground where plants (such as flowers or vegetables) are grown

rot – v. to slowly decay¹³ or cause (something) to decay

function – v. to work or operate

compost – n. a decayed mixture of plants (such as leaves and grass) that is used to improve the soil in a garden

1 laboratory   

n.实验室，化验室

参考例句：

• She has donated money to establish a laboratory.她捐款成立了一个实验室。
• Our laboratory equipment isn't perfect,but we must make do.实验室设备是不够理想，但我们只好因陋就简。

2 diseases   

n.疾病( disease的名词复数 )；弊端；恶疾；痼疾

参考例句：

• Smoking is a causative factor in several major diseases. 抽烟是引起几种严重疾病的病因。
• The illness frequently coexists with other chronic diseases. 这种病往往与其他慢性病同时存在。

3 weakening   

v.（使）削弱， （使）变弱( weaken的现在分词 )；消震

参考例句：

• The currency of that country is weakening on foreign exchanges. 那个国家的货币在外汇市场上疲软。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• Bad and irregular eating was weakening every function of his body. 吃得又差又没有规律，使他身体的每一个官能都在衰退。 来自英汉文学 - 嘉莉妹妹

4 affected   

adj.不自然的，假装的

参考例句：

• She showed an affected interest in our subject.她假装对我们的课题感到兴趣。
• His manners are affected.他的态度不自然。

5 weakened   

adj.虚弱的v.（使）削弱， （使）变弱( weaken的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• The team has been weakened by injury. 这个队因伤实力减弱。
• In his weakened condition, he is very susceptible to cold. 他身体很弱，因此很容易患感冒。 来自《简明英汉词典》

6 yearly   

adj.每年的，一年一度的；adv.一年一次地

参考例句：

• The flower show is a yearly event in our town.我们镇上的花展一年举行一次。
• The yearly rental of her house is 2400 yuan.她这房子年租金是2400元。

7 recovery   

n.恢复，痊愈；追回，寻回，收复

参考例句：

• The doctors said that his recovery was a miracle. 医生们说他的复原是件奇事。
• The quick recovery was truly in response to medication.这次迅速康复确实是对药物治疗的反应。

8 removal   

n.去除，消除；挪走，移走，搬迁

参考例句：

• After the removal of the soup,fish was served.汤撤去后，鱼就上来了。
• The factory announced its removal to another town.这家工厂宣布迁往另一座城镇。

9 standing   

n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的

参考例句：

• After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
• They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。

10 dealing   

n.经商方法，待人态度

参考例句：

• This store has an excellent reputation for fair dealing.该商店因买卖公道而享有极高的声誉。
• His fair dealing earned our confidence.他的诚实的行为获得我们的信任。

11 nutrients   

n.（食品或化学品）营养物，营养品( nutrient的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• a lack of essential nutrients 基本营养的缺乏
• Nutrients are absorbed into the bloodstream. 营养素被吸收进血液。 来自《简明英汉词典》

12 lessen   

vt.减少，减轻；缩小

参考例句：

• Regular exercise can help to lessen the pain.经常运动有助于减轻痛感。
• They've made great effort to lessen the noise of planes.他们尽力减小飞机的噪音。

13 decay   

vi.腐烂，衰落；n.腐烂，腐朽，衰败状态

参考例句：

• The vegetables have begun to decay.那些蔬菜已开始腐烂。
• Our powers decay in old age.我们的体力在老年时就衰退。