"Joseph Chong" wrote in message
news:jiFTb.387925$X%5.57998@pd7tw2no...
What are some good web sites etc... for drainage of yards and gardens. In
Vancouver BC it is so wet all winter my lawn and garden of my 'new' house
(new to us, it is 70 years old and the garden was negelcted the past ten
years easy) is a lake after a rain. I think the soil is very compacted and
I
will spike it in the spring. The soil is very thick and quite clay-like. I
tried to dig a dry well and that didn't go over well when it rained for a
week before I could get any gravel to fill it, it mike make nice pond
now.... I will fill it when the rains stop.
Any ideas about soil admendments to improve drainage? Sand? Gypsum?
I don't want to do drainage tile unless it is absolutley necessary.

jc

A website is not going to do it for you. If you have standing water after a
good rainstorm, you need to think about some professional intervention -
soil amendment is not the answer. Drainage issues are complicated and if
improperly done can result in further damage to your property, erosion and
leakage in your home. A good system of french drains leading to a catch
basin and storm drains is the way to go and you need a professional for
that.

Amending soil to improve drainage in planting areas can be done, but unless
topography and other drainage issues are addressed first, you will not have
much success. Heavy soil can be lightened by adding quantities of organic
matter and coarse sand or small gravel. But you run the risk of complicating
drainage if the amending is not widespread - selected areas of improved soil
surrounded by areas of the heavy clay soil will only create 'bathtubs' or
pockets which will fill with water after a good rain. If you correctly
address the drainage in the unplanted or lawn areas of your garden, then
raised beds or berms may be the easiest route.

pam - gardengal