What's the best way to drain a garden border?

Question

The border/flower bed in question is at the bottom of the garden, at the bottom of an incline that runs from an old railway bank 150 yards up the road. The border already has a few small but mature trees and a couple of shrubs. There also a cover that I believe is a drain right in the middle of the bed. all the rain seems to end up here and it's very heavy soil below the surface with lots and lots of roots.

I have thought about adding further topsoil to raise it a little, would this work and can I cover the drain cover?

The whole 'estate' is less than 15 years old, the area is definately my property and it backs on to other back gardens.

Answer 1

First of all, you must not touch the drain, as if you damage you will be held liable. You can raise the soil level but not above the drain. Dig into the soil a lot of grit/ gravel, dig this in about a spade and a half depth and this should improve the drainage a little with the added soil. Work some old compost or well rotted manure into the top of the soil as well, this will improve the quality of the soil. If this doesn't work you will have to run drains through your bed, which is a lot more expensive and rather a lot more work.
To do this you will have to dig a sump at the lowest level 1m deep and 1m wide fill it 3/4 full with gravel then upturned turf then top soil. then dig trenches through the bed 1m apart and at least 2ft deep with a 1:100 slope,lay in the drainage pipes in the trenches and cover with gravel 6 to 12 inch, then fill with topsoil all leading to the sump at the lower level.
Good luck
Professional Gardner for 30 odd yrs

Answer 2

If there is a drain, someone at some point knew that water was coming down and would have to go somewhere.

Are you sure that spot is on your property? It sounds like the RR company may have built the drain. If can't be changed, there will always be water runoff and erosion on that spot. You could toss in rugosa roses or some other hardy thing that doesn't mind alternating between flood and drought. I wouldn't bother to add any soil becuase it'll just wash down the drain. If you cover the drain without diverting the water, you'll be living in mosquito-ville.

If you can divert the water by means of a long gutter leading to a trench, maybe you could turn it into a collection system for your own needs.

Answer 3

Don't cover the drain cos it's there for a reason.I had the same problem when the council decided to fill in the drain at the bottom of my garden,it used to get very wet cos the water had nowhere to drain into.Have you thought of creating a BOG Garden?

Answer 4

Lift the drain cover, if the drain is blocked get it cleared and running. Once the drain is running OK then you find a way to drain the soil down the drain

Answer 5

You will have to raise the drain cover otherwise you may have all sorts of problems, then you could stand pots on the drain cover.

if you still want to drain your bed get some land drains and dig a ditch across your garden, then back fill the ditch.

Answer 6

go to the local garden centre and get them to suggest some plants that really like water (weeping willow is good) and whatever you do do'nt cover the drain cover!Have you had it off to see what sort of drain it is? My friend actually decked over her ditch and it really looks nice with a little gazebo around it.