Poor Drainage

Sheila Allder · April 2023

I am going to turn in Permalite into my Plant Bed and wonder if I should also dig down quite deep and lay a trough of it ? Also is there anything else I could add to 'break up' the stiff wet soil and thereby reducing the quantity of it?. I know the Plant roots need earth. My soil is wet not waterlogged, even below a crusty top.

Jenny_Aster · April 2023

Do you mean Perlite?

You could add Perlite, and Vermiculite both have different properties, or you could add loads of compost on top, lightly fork in and let the worms do their work. You could plant in the top compost.

Fairygirl · April 2023

Hi @Sheila Allder - do you mean a bed in the ground, or a raised bed?
It's rarely worth adding things like Perlite or Vermiculite to an open bed - it would cost a fortune, and it doesn't really work well. You could add grit, well mixed through the soil, but again - that's very expensive in an open bed, unless you have very deep pockets.

As @Jenny_Aster says - it's organic matter you would add to improve drainage. In lighter soils it helps to hold onto moisture, and in heavier, clay soils, it improves the drainage and makes it easier for all sorts of plants to thrive. Well rotted manure is the best addition, but compost [home made or bought] and leaf mould will also do a great job.

bédé · April 2023

Compost is best. From the council if you don't make enough yourself.

Please define "wet not waterlogged".

Sheila Allder · April 2023

bédé said:

Compost is best. From the council if you don't make enough yourself.

Please define "wet not waterlogged".

Thanks! To explain further I do not have 'pooling' on top of the earth or a slow to drain water problem but it does remains wet and therefore needs less watering than you would normally? Plants do not survive easily either

Fairygirl · April 2023

What sort of plants are you trying to grow, what else is in the bed and in the surroundings?

Wet soil isn't a problem at all for the right plants.

Sheila Allder · April 2023

Jenny_Aster said:

Do you mean Perlite?

You could add Perlite, and Vermiculite both have different properties, or you could add loads of compost on top, lightly fork in and let the worms do their work. You could plant in the top compost.

Thanks Jenny. I am thinking of the roots as they get longer when they reach the normal compacted wet soil. I notice how new plants start off ok then die, I believe from root rot caused by the permanent wet earth?

Sheila Allder · April 2023

Fairygirl said:

What sort of plants are you trying to grow, what else is in the bed and in the surroundings?

Wet soil isn't a problem at all for the right plants.

Yes, I shall now be ordering only plants that like wet conditions in the future. Regarding Leaf Mould I have just been reading up about it and it seems that it is very good for retaining moisture - which is something I think I should avoid given my constant wet soil, so I shall likely dig up and turn over with compost and grit I think.

Fairygirl · April 2023

Manure is, without doubt, the best thing to add. It opens up the soil.
Leaf mould and compost will also aid the soil structure, so don't be scared of using the former. It all helps the soil and that's how you amend it over time. You can mix it all in if you want to plant soon.

The problem is that even plants which like consistently damp conditions still need adequate drainage and air for the roots. Without amending the soil properly you can still have a problem. Even bog plants need drainage.

That's why I asked what plants you had grown, were wanting to grow, and the size/type of area, ie -a bed in the ground or a raised bed.

Sheila Allder · April 2023

Fairygirl said:

Hi @Sheila Allder - do you mean a bed in the ground, or a raised bed?
It's rarely worth adding things like Perlite or Vermiculite to an open bed - it would cost a fortune, and it doesn't really work well. You could add grit, well mixed through the soil, but again - that's very expensive in an open bed, unless you have very deep pockets.

As @Jenny_Aster says - it's organic matter you would add to improve drainage. In lighter soils it helps to hold onto moisture, and in heavier, clay soils, it improves the drainage and makes it easier for all sorts of plants to thrive. Well rotted manure is the best addition, but compost [home made or bought] and leaf mould will also do a great job.

Sorry I should have said its a Bed about 25ft long x 2ft wide. I think I will look i to the Manure as its breaking down the sodden earth I need to do. Thanks

Fairygirl · April 2023

I use all of those for my clay soil, which never totally dries out here. Always have done.

It's about improving structure, which then means more scope with types of plants, and more of them will thrive because there's less variation in the moisture levels and general conditions, whether it's heaving with rain or a long, hot dry spell.

Poor Drainage

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