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Advice needed on planting problem

iankyle2Hd9Gmtfziankyle2Hd9Gmtfz Posts: 19
in Problem solving
When I dug a hole to plant a a viburnum I found it filling with water. I left it overnight but today the hole still had water in it although there had been no rain. I have had drainage problems recently with my borders following heavy rainfall. Any advice on what action I should take?

Posts

  • yorkshireroseyorkshirerose Posts: 574
    Dig further down. It sounds as though you have what is known as a 'clay pan', that is a layer of solid clay below the soil. It needs investigating and solving before you plant anything. If this is the issue you will need to break through the clay and work in plenty of sharp sand or grit to improve the drainage. 
    A gardener's work is never at an end  - (John Evelyn 1620-1706)
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Clay is standard fare here @iankyle2Hd9Gmtfz. Without improving the soil as @philippasmith2 suggests, it's a mistake to plant.
    Borders and beds which have had lots of organic matter added, become excellent places for shrubs, but without that improvement, it's no use. 
    The other option is raised beds. I do both - I've done that in all the gardens I've had, except where there's already been planting, and work done to improve conditions. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • iankyle2Hd9Gmtfziankyle2Hd9Gmtfz Posts: 19
    Thanks for the advice. I have added copious amounts of organic matter and I will incorporate more as well as grit. The basic problems seems to be that I have poor soil and a sloping garden. My 'uphill' neighbour has installed a soakway but he also has drainage problems. I will keep  working away.
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