{"id":560,"date":"2017-08-01T20:24:09","date_gmt":"2017-08-01T20:24:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gardendad.co.uk\/?p=560"},"modified":"2022-03-04T08:35:58","modified_gmt":"2022-03-04T08:35:58","slug":"garden-drainage","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gardendad.co.uk\/garden-drainage\/","title":{"rendered":"Tips & Advice For Establishing And Maintaining Good Garden Drainage"},"content":{"rendered":"

Good drainage is a must for successful allotment or garden maintenance and care. Good management of water as a natural resource can save you money and support the proper care of your flower and vegetable gardens, your lawn and your landscaping.<\/p>\n

To have a successful garden, you must implement wise garden drainage techniques that allow you to make the most of the natural processes affecting the soil. These are:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Rainfall<\/strong> – Precipitation of any kind including rain, snow and sleet.<\/li>\n
  2. Surface water<\/strong> – Standing water as in streams, ponds, pools, ditches and low spots.<\/li>\n
  3. Ground water<\/strong> – Water existing in underground reservoirs such as wells, aquifers and the like.<\/li>\n
  4. Sun exposure<\/strong> – The amount of sun an area receives strongly affects evaporation rate and water retention.<\/li>\n
  5. Organic matter in the soil<\/strong> – Composting material in the soil such as leaves, fallen fruit, garden trimmings, etc., which work to fortify the soil and lighten it to permit air to reach roots and support plant life.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Harnessing these natural elements involves understanding the hydrologic cycle (the way in which water is delivered to and used by the soil); the relationship between soil, water and plants and the importance of properly amending and grading your garden to attain optimum water use and drainage.<\/p>\n

    In this article, I will review and discuss these topics and provide some tips to help you establish optimum garden drainage. Read on to learn more.<\/p>\n

    What is the Hydrologic Cycle?<\/h2>\n

    This term is used to describe the series of conditions involved in the transformation of water from a vapor, free-floating in the atmosphere to rain, sleet or snow that is delivered to the earth, where it subsequently evaporates and returns to the atmosphere.<\/p>\n

    The important relationship of sunlight, soil, water & plants<\/h2>\n

    \"gardening<\/p>\n

    Plants need sunlight, water, oxygen and proper nutrients to survive. In order to get the correct balance of these vital elements, plants must have the right amount of sunshine and water to facilitate both the plants\u2019 hydration and intake of nutrients and correct evaporation to remove some excess water and to humidify the air surrounding the plants.<\/p>\n

    Well-draining soil that has been properly amended with organic matter is key to this process as light, well-aerated soil allows oxygen to access the roots and invigorate the plant. A good balance of sunlight, water, oxygen and nutrients sets plants up to establish strong, healthy root systems and absorb nutrition efficiently to grow vigorously.<\/p>\n

    Ideal soil contains nutrition and beneficial bacteria. It is of a proper structure and texture to allow plants to develop strong roots to anchor themselves and make the most of the positive attributes of the soil. Good garden soil is able to hold moisture near the roots yet drains efficiently to prevent water-logging.<\/p>\n

    What kind of soil do you have?<\/h2>\n

    \"what<\/p>\n

    Even if you live in an area that is said to have very good soil, the soil around your home may be lacking due to a number of circumstances.<\/p>\n

    For example, new homes often sit on lots that have no topsoil because it has all been scraped away to facilitate the building process. Other factors such as grading and the use of heavy equipment can compact the soil and ruin its capacity to support life. This is why it is so important to amend your soil with organic compost<\/a> in preparation for growing plants, grass and trees.<\/p>\n

    When you evaluate your soil and determine how you will amend it, you should also evaluate the lay of the land. Understanding the quality of your soil and the way drainage may occur in your landscape can help you make plans for the most efficient and effective drainage and use of water.<\/p>\n

    Look for these four conditions as you determine your course of action:<\/p>\n

    1. If your site is level and well-drained, you will find that the soil does not hold moisture for long following precipitation. Furthermore, if you have excessive amounts of precipitation, you may have problems with standing water on a level site, even if the soil is light and airy. Over time, your soil will become compacted if you do not care for it by consistently adding organic compost.<\/p>\n

    Mulching heavily with chopped leaves can provide a good solution for both retention of water and the need to add organic matter to amend and lighten the soil.<\/p>\n

    2. If your site is level and your soil is compacted, you will have a lot of trouble with standing water after heavy rainfall. This is because compacted soil cannot soak up water. In this case, even when there is water standing on the ground, your plants will not be able to absorb the nutrients they need. Instead, they will become water-logged and root rot will set in.<\/p>\n

    In this case, you will need to till finished organic compost into the existing soil to break it up, amend and lighten it. Follow this up with heavy, consistent mulching with chopped leaves.<\/p>\n

    Read also:\u00a0How to Choose a Garden Hose: Reviews and Buying Guide<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    3. If your site is sloping and your soil is well-draining, it may not be able to retain enough moisture for your plants to thrive. Furthermore, a sloping site may lose topsoil to erosion.<\/p>\n

    In this case, you will need to change the lay of the land so that it will retain water and topsoil.<\/p>\n

    4. If your site slopes and your soil is hard and compacted, desirable plants will be very unlikely to survive. Water will simply run off, so the roots will not get the water, oxygen or nutrients necessary to life.<\/p>\n

    In this case, you will need to change the lay of the land, till finished organic compost into the soil and add mulch.<\/p>\n

    The key concepts to keep in mind in all scenarios are:<\/p>\n