Will bark help with drainage?

Unknown · July 2016

chickdee says:
Hi, I have a plan for a play area in part of my garden, the problem is the area is usually very damp and becomes waterlogged in bad weather.

I am wondering if I should just leave the grass and go ahead with the play area or dig up the grass and put down bark instead. I would be worried that with the weed control sheet down and bark that the area would become even more waterlogged. (making for a very mucky play area)

I would be willing to plant something along the edge to help with drainage but its also beside a shed so its pretty dark too.

Our garden has been improved since we moved in and in that area there was a pit and stones put in but with a sloped garden it only helped a little.

Any advice welcome :-)
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Fairygirl · July 2016

Hi chickdee. This is a tricky one. I think the problem you have is that what you're describing is a soakaway, ie the pit with stones. The excess water is drawn to that area away from the rest of the garden, as it will be the lowest point, and the water then sits until it slowly drains away. If it's in shade, that doesn't help with drying out either.

I think the best option for you is to either relocate your play area, or make a raised one instead. I don't know how big your garden is or how large you want the play area, but it's not too difficult to make a bed with fencing timber which you can then fill with coarse sand and top it with bark. You'd need a landscape barrier between the layers to stop it all mixing together. Or prep it with soil/compost/grit and lay turf if you prefer grass.

Hope that's of some use just now.

Will bark help with drainage?

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