Soggy soil rots roots and ruins lawns. Here's how to improve drainage and get your garden drying out.
Created by jflgardens.co.uk
Few things are more disheartening than standing water on a lawn or soft, boggy soil that never seems to dry out. Waterlogging is usually a fixable symptom of a deeper issue — here's how to get on top of it.
Check whether the problem is heavy clay soil that holds water, a low-lying spot collecting runoff, or water coming from a neighbouring area. The source shapes the fix — you don't want to treat the symptom without understanding the cause.
Aerating the lawn and working grit, sharp sand or organic matter into beds helps clay soil drain and makes the ground far less prone to pooling. Raised beds are a solid option where the underlying ground simply won't cooperate.
Consider how rainwater leaves the site. Soakaways, French drains or slight falls can take excess water away from lawns and foundations, and a rain garden or swale can turn an awkward soggy corner into a feature that handles the excess.
In persistently damp areas, garden with the condition rather than against it — moisture-loving plants thrive in boggy corners, and some grass types handle wet feet better than others. Matching plant to site turns a problem into a strength.
From landscaping to a full maintenance-style overhaul, the JFL Gardens team works across Surrey and London.
