Hi Lynn thank you for replying,!unfortunately we are the lowest point on all four sides so it would likely invite more water in ... 😬 I think we are up the proverbial, and in my case literal, creek!
Don't be put off by what you see now. Unfortunately winters will be inconsistent and you will likely see deluge of a month's rain in a space of 3 days. Also, because you have not got shrubs and some evergreens in place, the garden will sit in water even for more free draining gardens. In time, when your shrubs go in, your soil will be drier over the winter. Do work in loads of rotted compost in winter and autumn to build up a good texture.
Weigelas, Dogwoods, Spiraea and Physocarpus will do fine in these soil types.
thank you @Borderline I needed to hear that, I think you just gave me a paddle 😊 I wondered whether planting would make much difference, was hoping but wasn’t sure 😊
The ground is probably compacted where you've been working too, which will make it look worse than it is. Adding lots of organic matter (eg mushroom compost or well-rotted farmyard manure) will only help and encourage worms which help aerate and drain soil. How about building a raised bed on the right? At least that would guarantee you have somewhere to plant something while the shrubs and worms get to work.
A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
hi @BobTheGardener that was the plan, we have some sleepers which are 25cm high but was unsure if this is high enough for roots of roses etc or whether they would still reach the puddles and be unhappy, do you think this is ok? Was considering changing everything and building up to 50cm but this means buying more sleepers and top soil which are not cheap! Ps I know there are lots of worms so far in the garden, they are everywhere as are the blackbirds foraging for them so that’s got to be a good sign but hopefully more manure etc as you say will mean even more 😊 thanks everyone for replying, I was a proper sad sack earlier about it but I am feeling much better now! 😁
I think I'd bite the bullet and go for 50cm raised beds, just in case. That's also a good height for working on them (weeding etc.) and somewhere you can have a quick sit down - I need more places like that in my garden! Good news about the worms, you're half way there!
A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
Blimy, that is a mess, you poor thing! I would agree with BTG, go for 50cm. As your soil is clay, make sure any sand you add is sharp sand and not builders stuff that will bond to the clay and turn it into concrete. In fact, grit is better to mix in with your soil as well as compost/manure to loosen it and improve drainage. It will require a lot of material to fill, but it will be worth it in the end. If that really is too much outlay right now, you could try laying a single sleeper on a slightly raised layer of gravel and/or set the sleeper on bits of old tile or brick, set slightly back from the front edge so not visible and leaving gaps inbetween them for water to drain out the bottom. Before you plant, see how it does after the next heavy rainstorm...
Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
The sump problem arises when you dig a hole and tip in some compost. Water from the surrounding clay seeps into the lighter mix. There are two important steps to avoiding this which involve digging the whole area, not just a planting hole, and breaking up the clay underneath. In many heavy clay areas you get heavy clay topsoil lying on a layer of solid clay. It can be as little as an inch or two or as much as two feet, but when you dig down to it you find a really solid surface, known as a pan, and this stops all drainage. To improve things you need to break this open to allow natural movement of water and soil. Then you dig in grit and muck.
HOWEVER if your garden is the lowest point, you will always have problems with water and raising the surface is a good way to deal with it. I would be cautious with roses, they don't like to stand in water all winter, so experiment with one or two before you blow the budget.
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Daughters wall is ground level with house so was easily diverted.
Weigelas, Dogwoods, Spiraea and Physocarpus will do fine in these soil types.
The sump problem arises when you dig a hole and tip in some compost. Water from the surrounding clay seeps into the lighter mix. There are two important steps to avoiding this which involve digging the whole area, not just a planting hole, and breaking up the clay underneath. In many heavy clay areas you get heavy clay topsoil lying on a layer of solid clay. It can be as little as an inch or two or as much as two feet, but when you dig down to it you find a really solid surface, known as a pan, and this stops all drainage. To improve things you need to break this open to allow natural movement of water and soil. Then you dig in grit and muck.
HOWEVER if your garden is the lowest point, you will always have problems with water and raising the surface is a good way to deal with it. I would be cautious with roses, they don't like to stand in water all winter, so experiment with one or two before you blow the budget.