Our entire back yard is underwater.

[knitter4democracy]

:(

The strawberry patch is entirely underwater (so it's at least seven inches deep there), the squash plants in the corner are underwater, and my square foot planters by the backyard neighbor's fence are floating. The rain came down so hard and fast that we flooded quickly, and now the city drainage pond has overflowed its banks and flooded the road on the other side and our entire yard.

Will I lose my planters? I'm worried about my tomatoes the most.

[noamnety]

1. oh no!

Any clue how long they'll be wet?

The roots should be okay short-term - part of my backyard occasionally floods in spring, but I've never had anything die off - though I just have a meadow back there, so I guess I wouldn't know if individual plants died.

If the square foot planters are floating, does that mean you could pull them in out of the water to dry land somewhere so they can drain?

[knitter4democracy]

2. Just the frames floated.

The marigolds and lettuce are still underwater this morning. At least the water's gone down, though. The strawberries are visible again and getting drier. I'm so worried that we'll lose everything in those two planters.

[Blue Gardener]

3. This was the information from Iowa Extension service

As you know, we've had a bit of water this year. You might try other extention service websites around the Midwest to see if they have more information about flooded gardens. Hope at least some of it is salvageable.

http://www.ipm.iastate.edu/ipm/hortnews/2008/6-16/floodstress.html

[knitter4democracy]

4. That's great info. I thought I'd lose the lettuce.

It's good to see they think I should pull it up, too. I'm pretty sure the marigolds will be gone, too, though you never know with them. The beans, peas, and tomatoes might make it, then, but a couple of cukes and the one watermelon were still quite young and small. I'm not holding my breath on those (they're still underwater this morning).

Thank goodness the other gardens are okay and weren't flooded as badly. Now we just have to wait.

[noamnety]

5. Can you gently pull up the plants that are still underwater

and transplant them into dry pots til the water goes down?

[knitter4democracy]

8. Good idea. I'll see if I can talk Hubby into it.

With my bum arm, I don't think I can just yet.

[Blue Gardener]

6. Are there any garden centers that still have plants?

There are some around here that are clearing things out. Maybe you can still get some replacement marigolds at a bargain price.

[knitter4democracy]

7. Around here most are out.

*sigh* I'll see what I can find, though. Good idea.

[asdjrocky]

9. Wish I could offer more help than sympathy.

All I can do is read over some of the good advice of the good people here, and wish you well. Good luck.

[knitter4democracy]

10. Thank you.

A knitter friend in Iowa told me about microtears and bacterial infection, so now I'm wondering if I should just scrap those planters entirely. :(

[knitter4democracy]

11. Update: The office of environmental health said not to worry.

They agreed that digging up the lettuce would be smart but that the city drainage pond wouldn't have enough sewage in it, if any, when it flooded to worry. So much for an organic garden, though. They said just to wash everything extra well and keep it. Whew!!!

[Blue Gardener]

12. That's great news!

I'm glad you didn't lose everything.

[asdjrocky]

13. Good news!

It would kill me to lose what I've done so far. Keep us posted on your progress.

[knitter4democracy]

14. Thanks! I will!

Hubby's still not entirely sold on it and thinks we should take off the tomatoes and such that were underwater. The ladies at the office, though, said that washing them would be good enough. I think I'll take a look at them tomorrow and see if I can find any tears or anything odd.