A waterlogged garden is bad news – not only can it kill plants, but also ruin lawns and make patios slippery. The good news is that there are a couple of usual suspects behind soggy gardens, and once you know what’s up, the solution should be simple.
Common causes of waterlogging
- Heavy clay soil
Above all, clay holds water and (aside from the consequences of a few weeks of rain) drains at a snail’s pace.
- Compacted ground
Soil gets so compacted by the forces of everyday life…people walking on it, or kids running across the yard, or heaven forbid, mowing when the ground is wet…and then water can no longer seep down through it.
- Poor garden levels
For instance, if your garden slopes toward the house or into a depression, water naturally collects. You can invest in some low-tech strategies to redirect moisture. For advice from Landscapers Gloucester, contact //phoenixgardenersgloucester.co.uk/services/landscaping
- Blocked drains and gullies
When leaves and silt stop storm water from escaping via absorption into the surrounding earth, you will simply have puddles in low-lying areas that never seem to go away.
Practical fixes that work
You should first do the easy stuff: clear leaves from gutters, sweep patio grates, and check that downpipes are not all flooding one spot.
Condition the soil: for borders, incorporate liberal amounts of organic material (compost / well-rotted manure). This actually helps clay soil from becoming too compacted, and allows water to flow through it.
Aerate the lawn: use a garden fork or hollow-tine aerator to puncture holes, then brush in sharp sand/topdressing to help keep channels open. Avoid mowing when it’s squelchy.
Fix imperfections: Sometimes, the best and only long-term solution is re-routing to make water run away from your building instead of pooling at the foundations.