My garden is waterlogged. Any ideas?

Question

After heavy rain my garden is waterlogged. If it rains for days then it becomes a nightmare. How can I solve the problem?

Answer 1

We have the same problem due to the soil being clay. The only way to try and improve things is to dig in loads of organic matter like your own compost or manure and when planting something make sure the roots have some grit to help drainage.

Answer 2

Sounds like you have a clay soil. The only real solution is to put a drainage system in. Either dig a big ditch and fill with gravel and cover as normal (lawn or whatever). Or a better solution is to put in proper drainage channels, using those black pipes with drainage holes you get from any good garden cetre (ask a member of staff) - this should be connected to a drain. You will need to get professional help and/or advice as I wouldn't go digging around yourself as you could cause damage to any existng drainage system. It is really a job for a proffesional, unless you have a friend/relative who is in the know and can assist in some way.

Answer 3

In addition to all the practical ideas offered so far, why don't you find out whether there is an underground water course near your property, which is coming to the surface in rainy weather.
It happened to our property in Hertfordshire, which was flooded by an underground stream in heavy rain.
The local council will usually be very helpful on this subject, and even take up the job of repair. If your house is newly built, then the builder may have obligations to right the matter.
Good Luck!

Answer 4

we've got the same problem. if it's any help...i've dug a large hole in a low point and lined it with bricks, bottom and sides. this promptly filled with water. my intention now is to buy a small submersible pump with float switch ( about £40) and plumb it in to an old cold water storage tank (1000ltr) made of grp hidden in the corner of the garden. this i am then going to plumb into my existing plant irrigation system which i will extend. then, during the next hose pipe ban i can water my plants via a caravan submersible pump and timer with no worries. any excess water will overflow to a drain. obviously, not everyone can get get 1000 ltr fibreglass tanks willy-nilly. i'm fortunate enough to be a water treatment engineer and occasionaly get to 'oik these out..i've got one thats 2000ltr that i'm going to turn into a fish pond. some people only get 5 figure bonuses as a perk!

Answer 5

Herring bone drainage.
You need to drain your garden, you need to dig a drainage sump at the gardens lowest point, it should be at least 1m deep and the same across 1.25 4ft is preferable, fill to 1/2 its depth with stones or bricks, then a layer of gravel followed by a layer of inverted turf then replace the topsoil to a depth of at least 12inch. Lay drainage pipe at least 2ft deep at 1:100 slope cover with gravel 6 to 12 inch deep followed by 12 inch of topsoil, lead to the drainage sump , lay spurs off the main drain every 3ft along this to form the shape of a herring bone all the spurs should be running at 1:100 slope to the main drain,where 2 pipes join, cut one end at an angle and place together, continue to do this until all the wet area is covered cover each spur with 6 to12 inch of gravel and fill with topsoil.
I hope this works for you

Answer 6

You need to air rate you lawn. by using a fork walk backwards owner your lawn and every 4 ins put your fork in to the soil as far as it will go and wiggling to leave a set of holes, spread some lawn or sharp sand on the lawn and with a stiff broom sweep the sand back and forth to fill all the holes are filled.

I have just done a neighbours lawn

Answer 7

Hi i have had the same trouble all you have to do is were the flood is just get your garden folk and dig into the soil and watch it sink in and then turn the soil over until you think is best

Answer 8

Aerification helps, and also there are absorbant pellets you can get, I can't remember what they're called exactly, or when it rains, you could tarp it with plastic to keep the garden from getting all the water.

Answer 9

Put some drains in or stab the ground with a graden fork to let it soak through. If water table full you will need proper drainage

Answer 10

Dig deep and lay a base of sharp sand with large pebble course above. Re lay the soil.