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Waterlogged Soil

Hi

House I have moved into has a section in the garden that is water logged.  The border along the grass is about 15m long, The width from fence to grass is about 0.75/1m. In about the middle and for about 3/4m is so waterlogged and soggy.

I am thinking of getting drainage installed across the grass when I get the patio done, I am looking for some advice to help the situation initially. The soil is so thick and clumpy and believe it is clay ground.

Couple ideas I have thought of but no idea if it will actually help?

1. Remove a full width (fence to grass) and 2 spades worth deep. Back fill with manure and top soil

2. The above... plus dig out another spades depth worth and line the ground with some gravel from driveway stones that I am digging up (pink ones that are common in driveways)

Thanks

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Posts

  • g333g333 Posts: 125
    I’ve removed top layer of soggy soil about a spades worth deep. Turned it over with a fork.

    dug more out where it is most soggy and added a bag of manure and then back filled with the soil I took out from second dig.

    the top layer will be dumped.

    what’s best to back fill the spades worth deep I took out? Any views on the above?
  • K67K67 Posts: 2,506
    Why do you need to dump the top layer of soil?
    Spread on top it will dry out, if what you have done hasn't improved the area whatever you put back will become waterlogged again.
    Looking at the area where your fork is it does look very compacted so hopefully your digging will improve your drainage
  • g333g333 Posts: 125
    The area from fork back will become a patio area but that what it was all like.

    Dumping the top layer as it was full of roots, weeds etc and to make way for some new top soil and manure to try help break down the existing soggy stuff.

    I had read that bark mulch was good also to add in to obsorb the water?
  • g333g333 Posts: 125
    edited March 2021
    Is adding a spades depth mix of manure, enhanced top soil and bark too much of a mix as a mulch over what is in the photos.

    Just trying to establish what is best to now go on top.

    I guess in a way I have done a double dig, but instead of putting back in the soil taken out of first dig, I am looking to add new organic matter as a replacement for the first dig  removed.

    Hope that makes sense :)
  • g333g333 Posts: 125
    edited March 2021
    Some photos of the area in the previous photos this morning after rain. This is the only part this happens.

    Futher up in that section is some replanted bushes from other areas that I have cleared. 

    Top area has always been ok but you can see even digging, removing, turning the soil the 2 closest bushes are still being water logged.

    The area that has been dug out, and back filled with double dig turned over soil and manure is like a pond. Is this because Ive not added the final new top layer? I would have expected it the drain away still and not be as bad?

    My neighbours garden is not like this on either side of me and this is the only section of garden like this. 

    The grass does need drainage put in as that is like walking on a sponge.


    Any ideas?






  • Based on your comments about gardens either side it seems possible that this area is a low point in the local area. I suspect the only option might be a land drain emptying into one of your gullies or preferably a water course or open land if feasible. The drain could be in the middle of the garden, lawn etc.
  • PosyPosy Posts: 3,601
    I think the first step is to discover where the water is coming from and why it collects there, rather than spreading evenly throughout the area. Although your soil may be heavy, something else is going on and it may not be the most obvious thing you can think of. The next thing is to decide where you want the water to go to and how to get it there without offending your neighbours. Improving the soil will not help at this stage, you have a problem that merits investigation.
  • g333g333 Posts: 125
    Thanks for the comments.

    We will be getting a new patio laid as part of the renovations. The landscaper had suggested drainage when doing the fence, when we come to do the patio, as the grass was soggy. He hadn’t seen the side like this as had been dry.

    That soil was turned over by a digger also when the fence was put in a 4 conifer single tree’s removed fully.

    The rain was heavy last night but again there must be an under lying reason for it not draining. There are no houses out the back of me so ideally run the water to there or add into the grass draining and where the landscaper thought that could go.

    I don’t want to add a final top layer or any plants under it is sorted. It was waterlogged when the conifers were in also, I thought by digging, turning, removing and backfilling might do the trick but as you have both meantioned something else going on.

    Is a landscaper best to look at this or someone else?
  • PosyPosy Posts: 3,601
    I'm  not sure a landscaper has the skills. You will be able to find out a good deal yourself but another professional may be needed to solve the problem. I don't know who but someone else will, no doubt.
  • Butterfly66Butterfly66 Posts: 970
    If he’s an experienced landscaper he should be able to advise and implement any needed interventions, french drains etc, it’s a standard part of landscaping.
     If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.”—Marcus Tullius Cicero
    East facing, top of a hill clay-loam, cultivated for centuries (7 years by me). Birmingham
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