Piscanthropus Profundus wrote:
"Newt" wrote in message
...

Travis Wrote:
Piscanthropus Profundus wrote:-

I've purchased a bit of property that I'm looking to build a new
home on in a few years. It's fairly heavy clay and quite wet in
the spring and autumn. I'm looking for plants that both tolerate
wet feet and will also absorb a fair amount of water. I'm in zone
5 - Niagara.-

Well, Duh, people, you keep overlooking the Japanese Iris! Just
about perfect for boggy areas. Look it up: Iris ensata.

Hemmaholic


I would consider intentionally planting taprooted weeds for a few
years. And I mean in great quantity (it may take a bit of seed
collecting, but all of them are very prolific), ten per square
foot or so. Mow them once a year in the fall to prevent woody
growth. Each taproot will become a drainage channel once the
plant dies, and for a mature plant the root will go down four to
six feet.
At the same time the organic content of the soil is improved to
great depth.

Dock, burdock, chicory and dandelion are the best. Only dock
really prefers wet soil but, being weeds, they are very
adaptable. Other taprooted plants become too woody to revert
easily to a lawn. Incidentally, I have done it and it works.
Right now you can find burdock burrs in weedlots, dock seeds
(available in july) disappear fast because they are a major
winter staple for a variety of critters. Chicory seeds become
available around august. If the neighbors complain
you will be limited to chicory and dandelion,which are less
conspicuously weeds, and which is what I used.
simy1


With no disrespect to the other posters, what I see being
suggested are some invasive plants that many would consider weeds.
I would rather know what you want to accomplish with the suggested
plant material. Do you want plants that will thrive under the
current growing conditions until you build and then remove them,
do you want plants that will enrich the soil until you build or do
you just want a list for planting after you build?

I think it's important to address the wet conditions, especially
if you are going to build. Take a look at this site for some
helpful info on drainage.
http://tinyurl.com/6gyux

If you want to cover the soil with plants that can be turned or
mowed for organic matter to improve the soil, consider planting
natives. They will be less trouble for you now and later when you
might want to change things. The best way to improve the soil
would be to add organic matter. You don't say how large the
property is, but a covering of leaves, shredded newspaper, lawn
clippings, etc would be helpful.

I suppose more information would be helpful. If you just want a
list of plants for your garden after you build, that would be easy
to do. We would need the sun conditions as well.

I'm looking to improve about 2 acres at the moment - all of it in
full sun.

I'd like some plants that will thrive in the current, unimproved,
conditions - including shrubs and trees. A windbreak is a must.
And I'd like to cover the area where the house and septic beds will
be located with something that can be tilled under - that layer of
topsoil will be scraped away before construction and then replaced
once everything is in place.

Piscanthropus Profundus dude:
You snipped what ever I said but left my name.

--

Travis in Shoreline Washington