Thanks Pete.8 I've just dug it over today to lower the level a bit so the soil is in smaller lumps. We've removed quite a bit. Is it not right to dig it at this time if year? Are there consequences? 🤔thanks
Did you say it is waterlogged? If it is, what is causing this? How long does the problem last? You need to investigate before you plant because it will affect what can be grown successfully.
There won't be 'consequences' if you dig over the ground. The only difficulty is that wet sticky clay gets compacted when you're on it, so it's better to do any digging when the ground's a bit drier, which is very difficult at this time of year. Just chucking on some manure is the best way forward, as already said. There's no need to cover it either, unless you want it to look better, in which case you can add a layer of bark or similar, which will also break down over time and improve the area. I've just described on another thread, the process of creating a new bed from a piece of compacted, sterile sticky clay ground here. I did as described - a load of manure. It was fresh stuff, so it was put on after stripping off the turf, then put down a layer of fabric and a layer of bark so that it wasn't totally ugly for months. In spring, I took off the bark and fabric, stuck the bark back on, and it was then planted up.
I'm guessing your area is waterlogging because there's nothing there to stop it. Once it's planted up it'll improve.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Yes, I think it is OK in the top foot the probably compacted beneath that. I've ordered an auger so not sure if that will help if I go down a bit more with that? When it fill up it just comes over the top. No alterative drainage
Has it always been there, or have you created it @MuddyG? I think we were all probably assuming it was a more conventional bed in a garden layout, rather than part of a concreted pathway. Do you know what's underneath the bed? That could certainly be the reason for poor drainage. It could be a thick layer of compacted hardcore etc, suitable for adding paving, or the concrete that's there. If so, it might have been easier to create a raised bed to give enough depth over that. It would depend on how far down the compaction might be. If you can get a fork into it, or anything else, and check, that could help. Most plants don't need a huge depth for roots, and as long as excess water can get through well enough, it needn't necessarily be a problem.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
All the houses have a bed. I've been told it's clay all the way down. There's no drainage so can't turn into concrete area or slabs (that would've been my preference) I can get fork in and turned it yesterday but it just fills up when it rains. I thought about digging out the mud each time replacing with better soil or compost. Mine is the only one that gets like this.
I don't really understand your second sentence, but I think the best solution would be to build it up from those edgings to create a raised bed. You can then add manure etc to improve the soil condition, and plant with some easy care shrubs. Bare, clay ground will tend to waterlog if there's nothing to stop it. Plants will soak up a lot of moisture.
It's difficult to tell from the photo though - is your space at the end of a run where water might be feeding in from elsewhere?
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Thanks. It's all clay so think it's compacted below a foot. I've only just started working on it about four or five weeks ago to relieve the top compaction and let some rain soak down. I dont think I can plant this time of year, can I? Would be no roots to help soak up moisture. I'm looking for a quick solution to tide the bed over for the winter. So, will a layer of bark do anything to help? I read somewhere you shouldn't cover winter soil until after the first frost, this stops the freeze thaw cycle???
There is no point replacing the soil if the water does not drain and spills out of the bed. If the problem is below the topsoil you may be able to loosen and improve that but if there is a solid base of hard-core or similar, you will need to consider something else. How long does it remain wet after rain? Where does the excess water go when it spills out of the bed? Plants do take up water but many will rot if they are standing in it for weeks at a time.
I wouldn't worry about covering it or otherwise. It makes no difference re frosts or thawing. The best solution is adding organic matter - ie manure. You can then put a layer of bark on top if you wish, as I think I said earlier. It all helps. If you've only started working with it recently, that explains why it's not great. If it was solid and sour, it won't benefit anything. All organic matter helps improve the soil structure, and therefore helps drainage in heavy soil. If there's soil underneath the top layer, then excess water will eventually drain, unless there's a hidden reason for preventing it - like a broken drain or similar.
You can certainly plant at this time of year [I'm not sure why you think plants wouldn't have roots though!] but there's no point planting if the soil isn't suitable.
Clay is an excellent growing medium, and loads of plants will eventually be fine - whether it's sunny or shady, but the soil needs some time to improve. Things like Camassias and Acteas for example, love soil which doesn't fully dry out.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Posts
I've just dug it over today to lower the level a bit so the soil is in smaller lumps. We've removed quite a bit. Is it not right to dig it at this time if year? Are there consequences? 🤔thanks
The only difficulty is that wet sticky clay gets compacted when you're on it, so it's better to do any digging when the ground's a bit drier, which is very difficult at this time of year. Just chucking on some manure is the best way forward, as already said.
There's no need to cover it either, unless you want it to look better, in which case you can add a layer of bark or similar, which will also break down over time and improve the area.
I've just described on another thread, the process of creating a new bed from a piece of compacted, sterile sticky clay ground here. I did as described - a load of manure. It was fresh stuff, so it was put on after stripping off the turf, then put down a layer of fabric and a layer of bark so that it wasn't totally ugly for months. In spring, I took off the bark and fabric, stuck the bark back on, and it was then planted up.
I'm guessing your area is waterlogging because there's nothing there to stop it. Once it's planted up it'll improve.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I think we were all probably assuming it was a more conventional bed in a garden layout, rather than part of a concreted pathway.
Do you know what's underneath the bed? That could certainly be the reason for poor drainage. It could be a thick layer of compacted hardcore etc, suitable for adding paving, or the concrete that's there.
If so, it might have been easier to create a raised bed to give enough depth over that. It would depend on how far down the compaction might be.
If you can get a fork into it, or anything else, and check, that could help. Most plants don't need a huge depth for roots, and as long as excess water can get through well enough, it needn't necessarily be a problem.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
It's difficult to tell from the photo though - is your space at the end of a run where water might be feeding in from elsewhere?
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
How long does it remain wet after rain? Where does the excess water go when it spills out of the bed? Plants do take up water but many will rot if they are standing in it for weeks at a time.
If you've only started working with it recently, that explains why it's not great. If it was solid and sour, it won't benefit anything.
All organic matter helps improve the soil structure, and therefore helps drainage in heavy soil. If there's soil underneath the top layer, then excess water will eventually drain, unless there's a hidden reason for preventing it - like a broken drain or similar.
You can certainly plant at this time of year [I'm not sure why you think plants wouldn't have roots though!] but there's no point planting if the soil isn't suitable.
Clay is an excellent growing medium, and loads of plants will eventually be fine - whether it's sunny or shady, but the soil needs some time to improve. Things like Camassias and Acteas for example, love soil which doesn't fully dry out.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...