Thanks Loxley, the issue is that I may not be able to use a perf pipe to a soakaway after all as initially planned, so back to square one and looking to see if what I suggested in backfilling without a perf pipe would actually do anygood?
Bark that I mention is just the final top decorative layer I had read this was best to act as a mulch that's the only reason I mention it
I can't believe you have 2 threads on the go running into 12 pages over what really isn't a problem! Of course the soil is dry and crumbly by your laurel trees that's because you have the laurel trees taking up moisture. @Posy and @Loxley have the answer - raised beds, either with sleepers or mounding, although if you use this method you will need to do something to strengthen and protect the fence and with sleepers something to protect the wood such as damp proof membrane Even a single sleeper will raise the soil up 200cm. As you have dug down you will need to encroach on the grass to have a firm base for the sleeper but a wider border is best anyway. The water might well still be there at certain times but out of sight and benefiting the plants.
K67 it’s quite simple if you don’t like what you see move on, don’t read or comment. I am not hear for a telling off by the keyboard warriors of the world.
It’s not a problem in your eyes but a problem in my eyes.
I don’t have to explain to 2 posts but for your benefit I will. This was the original post. Once I thought this was the soloution and piped drain was the answer, I then created a new thread on a soakaway construction. Two different topics linked obviously but a separate subject.
Hope that is ok with yourself or do you want to tell me off again?
I have clay soil which I have worked on for the 5 years that I ve lived in this house. The only certain way to break it up is grit and/or grit sand, bags and bags of it. Just keep digging it in and turning it. It will break up in time. Then you can finally add well rotted manure or soil improver.
The last 2 houses I've had clay but never any issue with it like this one. I have another route to try so hopefully I can go with the Perf pipe option to drain it away and that will be that. Fingers cross anyway
I use grit and muck. But I disagree with @K67. Waterlogged soil IS a problem which affects everything you do and grow. The more you understand, the more hope of success.
If the other option I am looking into is a go, then I can go ahead with the perf pipe.
If not I really just want to understand what is best with not having a pipe. I've not dug a 10m x 0.5m deep 0.5m wide trench to chuck it all back in incorrectly.
This thread is really trying to understand what I can do best.
Raised Beds have been discussed and is a logical option, but installing sleepers for that long an area I understand would be costly.
I can certainly raise this 6-10 inches once backfilled that wouldnt be a problem, with no supporting structure.
I really just want to understand as I said if I cant go with the perf pipe option then what is best to back fill the trench so water is not on the surface for weeks on end and whatever I have planted sitting in a pool of water.
My thought for this as I mentioned before is below but again I have no idea if this is the best method, I just know I am not putting all the clay I have taken out back in.
Backfill with 0.3m of gravel (again not sure if this is wrapped in Geo fabric or not), 0.3m of topsoil (maybe a grit and topsoil mix looks like debate is out on that) finish off with compost. I have mentioned bark as a finish as this was suggested as a good mulch to help with water logging, and to help raise the bed 6-10 inches.
Just to be clear this is if I am not able to use a perf pipe to a soakaway. I have the answer for the peft pipe so all good, and thanks to everyone who has made suggestions and comments, greatly appreciated.
I put in the pipe, gravel etc. I have a bulk bag of gravel left over...online line calculator and weighting up should I order that extra bag
Someone had said to me that if I had any gravel left over then run some channels in from the grass to the drain. Cut the grass every 1.5m and backfill with gravel and sand.
The sand I am not too sure about, I've heard sand and clay is a big no?
I have topsoil to back fill the land drain, and mostly likely some will be left over. I am also ordering top dressing for the grass once scarified and aerator, and then seed it.
Question is if cutting in some channels as suggested above with just gravel (no pipe) then what is best to put under the grass...sand, topsoil or topdressing?
I believe this is called Sand slitting (secondary drainage), its all in the name but sand and clay?
Posts
Bark that I mention is just the final top decorative layer I had read this was best to act as a mulch that's the only reason I mention it
Of course the soil is dry and crumbly by your laurel trees that's because you have the laurel trees taking up moisture.
@Posy and @Loxley have the answer - raised beds, either with sleepers or mounding, although if you use this method you will need to do something to strengthen and protect the fence and with sleepers something to protect the wood such as damp proof membrane
Even a single sleeper will raise the soil up 200cm.
As you have dug down you will need to encroach on the grass to have a firm base for the sleeper but a wider border is best anyway.
The water might well still be there at certain times but out of sight and benefiting the plants.
I don’t have to explain to 2 posts but for your benefit I will. This was the original post. Once I thought this was the soloution and piped drain was the answer, I then created a new thread on a soakaway construction. Two different topics linked obviously but a separate subject.
Hope that is ok with yourself or
do you want to tell me off again?
When you don't even know who's in the team
S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
If not I really just want to understand what is best with not having a pipe. I've not dug a 10m x 0.5m deep 0.5m wide trench to chuck it all back in incorrectly.
This thread is really trying to understand what I can do best.
Raised Beds have been discussed and is a logical option, but installing sleepers for that long an area I understand would be costly.
I can certainly raise this 6-10 inches once backfilled that wouldnt be a problem, with no supporting structure.
I really just want to understand as I said if I cant go with the perf pipe option then what is best to back fill the trench so water is not on the surface for weeks on end and whatever I have planted sitting in a pool of water.
My thought for this as I mentioned before is below but again I have no idea if this is the best method, I just know I am not putting all the clay I have taken out back in.
Backfill with 0.3m of gravel (again not sure if this is wrapped in Geo fabric or not), 0.3m of topsoil (maybe a grit and topsoil mix looks like debate is out on that) finish off with compost. I have mentioned bark as a finish as this was suggested as a good mulch to help with water logging, and to help raise the bed 6-10 inches.
Just to be clear this is if I am not able to use a perf pipe to a soakaway. I have the answer for the peft pipe so all good, and thanks to everyone who has made suggestions and comments, greatly appreciated.
And, you're right about adding sand & grit in clay. It does nothing. You'll merely end up with gravelly clay and sand will help it compact even more.