Gardening could help reduce the risk of flooding

14:22 19th October 2011

Greenhouse enthusiasts might be encouraged to start building more gardens as they can be used as effective flood control measures, according to an expert.

Speaking on the FT Science podcast, Roger Williams, head of science at the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), said gardens set up in urban areas can help provide small pockets with reduced temperatures.

Mr Williams added that local gardeners are starting to realise the positive effects their gardens and horticulture in general can have on climate change.

"There is the flood risk mitigation that you get from planting as opposed to having hard, paved surfaces and crucially, the benefits for biodiversity and the potential to provide corridors for wildlife," he continued.

Mr Williams also indicated there is a great deal of science present in 21st century gardening.

Last month the prime minister added his favourite recipe to a fund-raising cookbook to help resurrect the garden areas of a school in Cottingham, Hull, which were destroyed by flooding in 2007.