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Waterlogged veg patch

ansypansyansypansy Posts: 9
in Fruit & veg

I have a new veg patch, due to start it off this year, and it is still very squelchy.  It starts to drain, we have another massive rain shower and then it is full of water again.  This must be such a common problem at the moment, why is it not being addressed in weekly Gardeners World emails?  What do we do about sowing seeds?  Will be at least a month before we can get started.  What can and can't we start off in cells in the greenhouse?  Some good advice would be very welcome.  We are not used to such damp conditions in the East of England!

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  • AnniemarshyAnniemarshy Posts: 63

    I'm in the South East and we have the same problem.  I'm going to start some stuff indoors and just wait until the veg patch dries up.  Compared to the rest of the country I think we've got it easy.  Try the what to do now on this website for suggestions.

     

  • Andy19Andy19 Posts: 671

    Just let it dry out still time to plant your veg later on you could add some sharp sand to the soil dig it in when drys out a little just give it time all will be well no doubt.

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,109

    If it's not too big an area, could you cover with polythene, leaving spaces for airflow like a polytunnel type of effect? It would warm the soil up and prevent further wetting. 

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



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • flowersforbeesflowersforbees Posts: 221

    Hi - I know this is about veg. but hope you won't mind if I ask about my wildflower

    garden as that is pretty waterlogged too.   I've not been well with a persistent

    virus for a few weeks, so hadn't been able to check up on what's been going on

    outdoors for a while.  Today I was a bit horrified to find that lots of the things I

    was hoping would survive because of the mild winter, have in fact disappeared -

    some of them have been eaten and others, I think, have given up the ghost with

    all the rain.  Can't see it being sensible to sow any wildflower seeds until it

    dries up?  Would be grateful for advice!  Nutcutlet I'm about to PM you!  image

  • AnniemarshyAnniemarshy Posts: 63

    Good idea Andy19, also copious amounts of compost should help.  Our veg patch is mounded which helps with the water problem.

     

     

  • Lupin 1Lupin 1 Posts: 8,916

    I've loosely forked my veg patch so that on dry windy days it starts to dry out a bit.

  • No expertNo expert Posts: 415

    A common problem this year. My patch of garlic seems to be doing alright but it is surrounded by what could only be called a bog.

    Have to pick a new area for my first early spuds as the preferred site is waterlogged most of the time.

  • No expertNo expert Posts: 415

    This is where my brassicas will be planted later on in Spring. Might get a crop of rice first?

    image

     That line of stones is a land drain.

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,109

    Rice might be about right, No expert  image

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



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Fluffy CloudFluffy Cloud Posts: 200

    My garden is absolutely waterlogged!! I've not been able to walk on it!! The greenhouse is an asset at times like this!!

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