Global warming isn’t just causing rising temperatures, it’s also giving us wetter winters which create less wonderful, waterlogged gardens.

At Haywood Landscapes we are being asked more and more to solve soggy landscapes with wet garden ideas.

Understanding the Problem

To help, we first need to understand the problem and will assess the garden and typically dig test pits to understand what’s going on underground. Appropriate action may take the form of a creative garden design solution, forming swales or improving the spoil condition.

Tackling a Waterlogged Lawn

In one instance recently, the garden needed installation of a full-blown land drainage system. This large lawned garden near Tonbridge regularly became waterlogged and was a no-go area for our client’s children from Autumn until late Spring. Our soil assessment showed a poorly drained clay-rich topsoil over clay subsoil. Fortunately, it had a shallow ditch running along one side which would provide somewhere to discharge water from a land drainage system which we judged would be needed to resolve the problem.

Installing the Drainage System

We dug trenches in a herring-bone shape across the area so that water would be channelled into a central spine. From there it would be collected in a large sump concealed beneath a lawn-level trampoline. Our client had already installed a submersible pump there ready to pump it into the ditch.

Enhancing Soil Permeability

A system of perforated land drainage pipes were laid in the trenches, with a shingle encasement, all wrapped in porous geotextile fabric.

Re-seeding the Lawn

To make sure water would get to the drainage channels we spread and mixed in a thick layer of high-permeability blended soil into the existing topsoil. Finaly, we re-seeded the lawn.

A wet spring (of course!) delayed the project well beyond the optimum April seeding season but despite this, come Autumn we were pleased to see a full grass ’sward’ in evidence and crucially, a useable lawn.

If you are struggling with your muddy garden being walked into your home or it’s simply a no-go area from autumn to spring, we have the wellies, expert garden landscapers and the solutions.

Drop us an email at info@haywood-landscapes.co.uk or call 01227 733447 today.