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.
Yea any chance I get I’ve been adding organic matter, but can’t do too much at the moment partly because of seeds coming up. I think it’s too late to do a raised bed as there some perennials at the back by the fence (where it doesn’t water log as much) which are old and I would be worried about transplanting. The fence isn’t in wet soil it’s on a bit of concrete and is above the soil. Yes it’s basically pure clay once you dig down a bit underneath the organic matter that I’ve added over the years. It probably doesn’t help that where it’s flooded at the front of the bed I probably haven’t added much, if any organic matter as that’s where the bed extends an inch or so every year when I re-edge it lol.
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.
It’s only slightly lower than the wall and not any lower than the lawn next to it (the garden does slope down to that point) so I think it would be difficult to significantly raise the bed/the lawn. I do think holes in the wall would help but connecting to a French drain. Think I’ll try adding plants that can cope with wet and dry, add as much more organic matter as I can, then if the problem still persists I’ll run a French drain along the front of the bed and let it come out through the wall. I appreciate your diagram btw! 😁
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.
Do you mean just the front bit for a pond and keep the plants behind it? I would be wary about a major restructuring as there are some old plants that might not take transplanting too well. But a pond at the front might be an idea. How deep do you think it would need to be to not dry out?
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:
Yes scrap the lawn in that area altogether.
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.
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
Thanks for these options. How big do you think the pond would need to be?
Thanks for these options. How big do you think the pond would need to be?
Without measuring the area it's only a guess - perhaps a 3 foot pond would fit without taking too much space.
Dig area, put pond liner according to size you want Or Dig area, put liner/membrane, sink a preformed pond like this one from Amazon or 2nd hand from Facebook marketplace
@M33R4 those look lovely! My only slight worry is I have a young niece who runs around the garden a lot and I wouldn’t want the pond being a hazard. But when she grows up I’m definitely going to look at it. Thanks for your reply
We dug a pond when we had a 7yr old and a 4yr old and had another the following year. Education and a low fence meant we had no accidents and it came in handy to keep herons from our fish.
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.
Perfect suggestion IMO. However, it depends on what the poster desires. But I would also suggest raising the height of the area affected to allow the water to be evenly distributed.
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Without measuring the area it's only a guess - perhaps a 3 foot pond would fit without taking too much space.
Dig area, put pond liner according to size you want
Or
Dig area, put liner/membrane, sink a preformed pond like this one from Amazon or 2nd hand from Facebook marketplace
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bermuda-Sand-Formed-Pond-Liner/dp/B0055ZOQC8/ref=sxin_16_ci_mcx_mi_sr_m_ts?content-id=amzn1.sym.53e054b8-ab06-43ad-bce5-6774563ba5b4%3Aamzn1.sym.53e054b8-ab06-43ad-bce5-6774563ba5b4&crid=FE3LQMR4DJB8&cv_ct_cx=3+foot+pond&keywords=3+foot+pond&pd_rd_i=B0055ZOQC8&pd_rd_r=dbfc31dc-df60-46fa-a365-5a15dcc50fcf&pd_rd_w=wSgsQ&pd_rd_wg=MBrjA&pf_rd_p=53e054b8-ab06-43ad-bce5-6774563ba5b4&pf_rd_r=50DZG4S99JQR9PJMXX78&qid=1681724983&sbo=RZvfv%2F%2FHxDF%2BO5021pAnSA%3D%3D&sprefix=3+foot+pond%2Caps%2C81&sr=1-3-d8d8b8a8-006e-4060-801d-7ea508439501
Add a small pump if you want a waterfall/movement/sound.
An example:
Pic source: https://www.womenwithwaders.co.uk/solutions/small-ponds/
Perfect suggestion IMO. However, it depends on what the poster desires. But I would also suggest raising the height of the area affected to allow the water to be evenly distributed.