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Does anyone have any ideas for preventing this water logging?

omghiomg_123omghiomg_123 Posts: 96
in Problem solving
We have had some heavy rain recently, and one of my garden beds is showing it (see pic below). I have tried over the years improving it with sand and grit and compost etc (I have clay soil here), but when there’s heavy bouts of rain, particularly prolonged, it ends up like this. I was wondering if anyone had some advice? I have even tried drilling holes in that retaining brick will to allow some water out, but not sure if it has helped tbh.  

Thanks!
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  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Just a thought, but could the surface level of next door’s garden be higher than yours?

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • omghiomg_123omghiomg_123 Posts: 96
    Dovefromabove said:
    Just a thought, but could the surface level of next door’s garden be higher than yours?
    No it’s about the same if not lower. This bed has always had the tendency to flood, think it’s because the garden slopes down to it. Wouldn’t be so bad if it didn’t dry up so much in the summer (it’s south facing), I’m not sure of any plants that can cope with waterlogging spells and then a very dry summer! (Except for my self sowing annuals and Physostegia!)
  • M33R4M33R4 Posts: 291
    edited April 2023
    Perhaps avoid growing a lawn in that area? Opt to make it a bed for water loving/bog plants?

    Otherwise a French Drain system might help.
    I wish I could garden all year round!
  • omghiomg_123omghiomg_123 Posts: 96
    M33R4 said:
    Perhaps avoid growing a lawn in that area? Opt to make it a bed for water loving/bog plants?

    Otherwise a French Drain system might help.
    In what sense avoid having a lawn? Extend the bed? I would have water loving plants but in the summer it gets bone dry, and I’m not really sure of what plants (that would look good there) can cope with that. A French drain is one I’m considering, I was thinking of putting it at the edge of bed and running it out through the brick wall. Maybe then put a trough there on the patio to catch the water and have a mini pond(?).

    Thanks for your reply 
  • Butterfly66Butterfly66 Posts: 970
    edited April 2023
    The link below is to RHS advice on creating a rainwater garden, it includes suggested plants which can cope with periods of wet/flooding and dry. 

     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
  • omghiomg_123omghiomg_123 Posts: 96
    Butterfly66 said:
    The link below is to RHS advice on creating a rainwater garden, it includes suggested plants which can cope with periods of wet/flooding and dry. 

    Thats a great link thank you!
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    If you want to sort it long term, the only way is to add loads of organic matter. That avoids the problem if the soil dries out in summer - gives you more scope with plants.
    Alternatively, a raised bed. Or a mix of both. 
    I'd be a bit worried about the fence if it's sitting in wet soil all the time. 
    Have you had a dig down to see if there's a layer of concrete or a solid clay pan near the surface preventing water draining away? The paving and fence footings might be having an effect too. Difficult to see the area clearly from the photo.  :)

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    edited April 2023
    Is the ground sunk in that spot? It looks like it is lower than the height of the little wall.

    If so you could raise levels locally, use a sleeper at the back (red) to avoid raising levels against the fence. Lift the turf and build up the level with 50:50 sharp sand and topsoil (pink). Drill holes in the wall to allow water to seep out (blue) - use gravel and a non woven geotextile to stop earth clogging the holes.


    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
  • Cambridgerose12Cambridgerose12 Posts: 1,134
    edited April 2023
    If it were me, I think I'd experiment with a pond in that particular spot where the water accumulates. If it were deep the water wouldn't dry out in the middle of the year. 
  • M33R4M33R4 Posts: 291
    omghiomg_123 said:...In what sense avoid having a lawn? Extend the bed? I would have water loving plants but in the summer it gets bone dry, and I’m not really sure of what plants (that would look good there) can cope with that...
    Options:
    1. Yes scrap the lawn in that area altogether.
    2. You can then either sink a small fibre glass pond in that space and start your wildlife pond with lots of water loving plants in and around it. With that pond in place even in summer it will hold water/you can top it up if the water level drops.
    3. Or you can build a small decking area over the area (from your patio straight onto the small decking) if you don't mind losing a couple of feet off your lawn
    I wish I could garden all year round!
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