Garden advice
By Ron Reichl Special to the Acorn

This winter is giving us more rain than we've seen in several years, and although it may cause traffic accidents, disrupt your commute and force you to finally change your windshield wipers, the frequent downpours are a treat for your landscaping.

Not only does the rain provide moisture, which saves money on your water bill, it also leaches out the builtup salts and toxic chemicals that get caught up in soil.

Heavy sunlight, artificial irrigation and constant fertilization throughout the summer can lead to an accumulation of salts that can be harmful to plants. Rain serves to wash away these salts from the root zone and create better conditions for your plants. This is why I recommend that every other month you take your houseplants outdoors and flood the soil (slowly) to wash away these salts.

Heavy rain also gives you a chance to check for proper drainage in your yard. A poor drainage system can hurt your landscape by not allowing excess surface moisture to exit planted areas.

Remember, plants can drown too. Roots need a constant flow of oxygen in the soil to grow and provide water and nutrients to the entire plant.

A good surface drainage system can help prevent this problem by transporting the excess surface water out and away from the planted area.

Take advantage of this year's heavy rainfall by assessing your soil condition and looking for low spots and other trapped areas. Taking the proper steps during winter's wet weather will ensure that your landscape and garden flourish all year long.

Ron Reichl is the owner of Metro Landscape in Simi Valley. He can be reached at (805) 857-0616.