Observe the water before touching anything
After heavy rain, the first task is to walk around the garden and note where water stands, how long it takes to disappear and which areas drain well. A puddle that empties within a few hours is usually normal in clay soil; one that is still there the next day points to a problem worth correcting.
Also look at the leaves and the collar of the plants: if water has washed soil away and left roots exposed, you will need to top up the substrate. If, on the other hand, the soil is compacted and shiny, the problem is not a lack of water but an excess of it. This initial diagnosis prevents hasty decisions, such as watering straight after a storm because the surface looks dry.
- Walk the garden a few hours after the rain stops, not during the downpour.
- Mentally note the areas that are still waterlogged the next day: those are the priorities.
Check drainage in pots and planters
Pots and planters are the most vulnerable point. Check that the drainage hole is not blocked by roots, compacted soil or a badly placed layer of gravel. If water drains slowly when you tilt the pot, the substrate is saturated and the roots may suffer.
A common mistake is to add fresh soil on top without removing the excess water, which makes the saturation worse. Another is to move pots to a more sheltered spot without thinking about weight: a soaked planter is very heavy and can damage the structure or your back. Lift the pot to check that its base is not sealed against the ground.
Adjust watering to the real moisture level
After rain, many people keep the automatic irrigation running out of habit. It is worth checking the moisture a few centimetres down: if the substrate is cool and damp, there is no need to water. In autumn, temperatures fall and plant water use drops, but a week of warm wind can dry the surface and mislead you.
The practical approach is to combine visual observation with feeling the substrate. If the lower leaves turn yellow and the substrate is still damp, there is probably too much water, not too little. If leaf edges dry out and the substrate is dry, it may be water stress or accumulated salinity. Telling the two cases apart saves unnecessary watering and worry.
Hedges and shrubs: aerate without over-pruning
Dense hedges trap moisture inside and can develop fungal problems if they are not aired. A light pruning of the inner branches, without spoiling the shape, improves ventilation. It is not advisable to prune drastically straight after rain: large wounds take longer to heal and the excess moisture encourages problems.
In shrubs such as rosemary or lavender, too much water around the collar can be more harmful than drought. Check that the base is not buried and remove the mulch if it is waterlogged. A frequent mistake is to add damp mulch over soil that is already saturated, which keeps moisture in for too long.
Check the ground and hard surfaces
On paths, terraces and pool edges, rain washes soil and leaves towards the drains. Clearing grates and channels prevents water from pooling and damaging paving or walls. If a crack appears, observe it before filling it: a fine crack that does not grow may be normal; one that opens up after rain deserves professional attention.
With terraces and pool areas, garden and swimming pool maintenance in Sotogrande includes checking that runoff does not reach the pool with soil and leaves. A simple sweep and a check of the levels prevent bigger jobs.
Common mistakes to avoid
One of the most common mistakes is to water immediately after heavy rain because the surface looks dry. Another is to fertilise straight afterwards: fertiliser in a saturated substrate can wash away or damage the roots. It is also common to walk over waterlogged areas, which compacts the soil and reduces aeration.
Gardening in Sotogrande rewards patience: waiting a few days before planting or transplanting lets the soil recover its structure. If a plant has been left leaning by wind and rain, support it without burying the collar deeper. And if fungus appears on leaves, remove the affected ones and improve ventilation before considering any other measure.