Kitchen Garden Forum

After several cloudbursts, most of my patio planters are several inches under water and for the first time, it's not draining away. I've tried to scoop out the surplus water out with containers but I think the drainage holes are now clogged up. Will "roughing up" the surface soil and making deep holes with a stick speed up the drying out process? I'm worried that all my tulip bulbs will rot. They're over-summered bulbs from a previous year but I'd still like to avoid losing them if possible. (Situation probably not helped by previous addition of water-retention crystals to avoid soil drying out. Ha Ha !!)

If the compost is compacted enough I'd suggest lying the pots down gently on their sides. Then perhaps very carefully 'stirring' through the drainage holes to unblock them.

I'd be wary of trying to make new drainage channels with a stick from the top as you risk damaging bulbs and causing the rot you are trying to prevent - possibly less risky with other plants with fibrous roots.