Sept. 1, 2024 - 3 min reading time
Jeez, I don't remember it ever raining as much as it did last year. And especially the first half of the year. Newspapers headline that in the Netherlands we increasingly have to deal with extreme weather conditions: from heavy rainfall to dry periods. In itself, a lot of water is not at all bad for your garden, but of course it must be able to drain away. And you can do something about that relatively easily in most gardens.
Laten we het hebben over… een wadi.. “Een wat?!” Ja, een wadi, wat letterlijk “vallei” of “rivierbedding” betekent. In de tuin is een wadi een ondiepe wateropvang die tijdelijk regenwater kan opvangen en langzaam laat infiltreren. Het is een simpele, duurzame oplossing voor zowel overstromingen als droogte. Een wadi past perfect in een ecologisch tuinontwerp of een duurzaam tuinontwerp.
Here's how it works:
When it rains, water flows into a shallow trench or bowl in your yard. The water stays here temporarily and can quietly sink into the soil while being naturally filtered. The result? Less flooding during heavy rains and more groundwater reserves for dry summers. With a wadi, you make your garden rain- and drought-proof, which is essential in an ecological garden.
This is how to make your own wadi:
- Dig a shallow bowl or trench: Choose a lower part of your garden. How big the wadi will be depends on your garden and your water collection goals. One square meter with a depth of 20 cm already buffers 200 liters of water!
- Drain pipe there: If necessary, lay a gutter from your downspout to the wadi so that water from the roof flows directly into the wadi.
- Check the soil: Ideal is sandy soil, where water can sink through quickly. Do you have clay or loam? Then cover the soil with geotextile and fill the wadi with gravel, lava rock or baked clay pellets. This helps the water infiltrate slowly.
- Fill with soil and compost: On top of the gravel layer will be a layer of soil and compost so you can put plants in it.
- Plant choice: Choose plants that like wet and dry, such as wildflowers, grasses, or perennials. I often use special Wadi seed for clay soil, such as a mix of Filipendula, Lathyrus and Veronica - plants that can withstand both downpours and summer drought.
A Wadi in Action!
I recently constructed a wadi in a city garden in the heart of Delft. This garden often suffered from flooding after heavy rainfall. Thanks to the wadi, the rainwater is now collected and filtered, keeping the garden dry and walkable even during wet seasons. And in summer? Then the wadi ensures that the soil stays moist longer, which is ideal for plants.
Why a wadi is perfect for your garden
A wadi fits perfectly into an ecological garden design or a sustainable garden design. It contributes to:
- Water management: less risk of flooding and more groundwater storage.
- Biodiversity: the right plants in and around the wadi attract insects, birds and other animals.
- Sustainability: a wadi is a natural solution that makes your garden more beautiful and environmentally friendly.
Whether you live in Amsterdam, Waterland, or the rest of the Netherlands, a wadi is a smart addition to your garden. It does not matter whether you have a large or small garden - I am happy to help you design and build a wadi that fits your garden and soil type.
Customized garden advice for an ecological garden
Do you want to make your garden rain and drought proof? As an experienced ecological garden designer in North Holland, I design gardens in which a wadi fits seamlessly. Nice if you call me to have a look at the possibilities for your garden!