Drainage Solutions for a Soggy Garden
If you have a soggy garden, it’s likely because there is excess water on the surface that is preventing air from getting to the roots of your plants. This can be a serious problem because it can lead to disease and decay. The good news is that there are some things you can do to fix the problem. In this blog post, I’ll share some tips on how to effectively drain your garden so that you can get back to growing healthy plants.
Garden Drainage Ideas
- Improve drainage around the perimeter of your house. One way to do this is by grading the soil so that it slopes away from the foundation of your home. This will help to prevent water from pooling near the house and seeping into the basement or crawl space. You should also make sure that your gutters and downspouts are clear and in good working condition. This will help to ensure that rainwater is properly redirected away from your home’s foundation.
- Create a drainage ditch. If you have an area of your yard that frequently becomes soggy, you may want to consider creating a drainage ditch. This will help to redirect water away from the area in question and improve drainage overall. Be sure to consult with a landscaper or other professional before undertaking this project, as improper ditch excavation can lead to even more problems down the road.
- Use raised beds. If you’re having trouble with soggy soil, raised beds may be the answer. By definition, raised beds are elevated garden plots that are typically filled with well-drained soil. This type of gardening solution is ideal for areas with poor drainage because it helps to keep roots dry and prevents waterlogged soil from becoming compacted. Raised beds can be purchased or built DIY-style using lumber, stones, or other materials.
Various methods may be used for draining off superfluous water, but by far the best results are by installing Agricultual drainpipes, which, when properly laid, act efficiently for many years. Before commencing this type of project (and investment), take levels to ensure a proper fall being made in the drains, so that when the pipes are laid they will rapidly carry off the excess water.
The distance apart and depth of the drains, and the size of the drain-pipes depend upon the extent, fall of the land, and the nature of the soil. Three-inch pipes will usually serve for the main drains, and one and a half to two inch pipes for the subsidiary drains.
Lay the main drain, as straight as possible, from two to three feet deep, commencing at the highest point and terminating at the lowest portion of the ground the lateral drains may be placed any distance from fifteen to thirty feet apart, or more, and should be laid at an acute angle to the main drain, so as to ensure a free run for the water and the impossibility of “stoppage” at the junction of the two pipes.
To facilitate drainage, cover the pipes, after being properly laid, with clean gravel or small stones, over which place a thin layer of suitable material, in order to prevent the earth from entering them. The soil should then be returned to the drains, the surface left smooth, and the surplus carted away. It is almost impossible to over drain impervious clayey land.
To expedite drainage, the trenches should be dug with, and the pipes laid, by proper draining tools. If the most intractable clays and waterlogged subsoils are drained according to the principles laid down above, they will be revitalized, aerated, and made suitable for the successful cultivation of Flowers and Vegetables, consistent, of course, with climatic conditions.
If you have a soggy garden, don’t despair! There are things you can do to improve the drainage and get back on track to growing healthy plants. By following these simple suggestions, you’ll be well on your way to solving the problem of excess water in your garden.
