We must bear in mind that this is the natural cycle and take advantage of the opportunity to collect and store water while it is available. Water deserves our attention and is one of the essential four elements – air, earth, fire and water. Drought periods will return and now is the time to make plans for the future.
We can look back through history for examples of water management which were used in mediterranean areas. The Roman occupation of Iberia during the 1st century left canals, aqueducts and irrigation systems for agriculture. The remains of these were used by the Moors in the 8th century to support planted orchards, vineyards and farming. The Algarve has some established traditional irrigation systems which draw on deep wells – and older examples are now protected.
Collecting water through use of passive water catchment is not always possible, but if new projects allow incorporation of gutters, pipes and drains, this can make a significant contribution to water storage.
Covered tanks and cisterns prevent evaporation and can be included under terraces, especially using the northern aspect. If possible, use a high point in the garden as this allows a gravity feed for circulating water for use around the garden.
Water also has been used to provide movement and cooling air in gardens. Rills and levadas traditionally move water around gardens and can be controlled with a simple system of blocks to control direction and flow. Some historic Italian gardens incorporate water jets to cool air, and surprise garden visitors! A water feature is also a great magnet for wildlife in the garden – especially so in a drought period.
The rainy days allow us to observe the way water changes our gardens and landscapes. Permaculture promotes use of swales to capture water and allow a deeper soaking of land.
With climate change, the increasing trend is for more extreme weather episodes – and this winter season is providing us with excellent examples of heavy winter rainfall.
Erosion and flooding can cause long-lasting damage depending on the topography, soils and drainage. Water erosion in the mediterranean area is severe due to intense, infrequent rainfall, steep terrain, fragile soils, and human impacts like deforestation and urban development. This can lead to rapid soil loss and gullying, exacerbated by removal of vegetation in wildfires, creating major challenges for land management and coastal stability.
There is a system of dry streams and rivers which come into play when heavy rainfall, storms and deluges occur. If these are not cleaned regularly and maintained, then the water will find its own way over the surrounding land. There are acknowledged problems with building on old flood plains and blocking drainage systems.
José Pimenta Machado, president of the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA), has said that “for the first time, the average volume of water stored in Algarve reservoirs (87%) has exceeded the national average (83%)”, in part thanks to exceptionally heavy rainfall this winter.
Maybe we were not the only ones celebrating the recent rainy days. Having lived through the drought of the last decade has taught us to be aware of how we use scarce water resources in our gardens. Collecting, storing and planning for future water use will pay huge dividends for our gardens – both for amenity value and in the edible garden.
Read more articles from Rosie Peddle on gardening: What are the golden rules in gardening? or Plant portrait – Salvias or Making plans while the sun shines – Gardening for wildlife in the Algarve
