"Kevin Miller" wrote in message

news:5B8C131E75380642.7C2A1DD786F33306.9048ABA955E ...

I'd like to put a 8 to 10 inch raised shrub bed in a low lying
wet area (it's pretty wet).. will the bed be soaked all the time like
the rest of the ground or will the water 'seek it's level' as is has
in that particular area? Thank you!



It depends somewhat on the soil type. If it is a low wet area, it's
probably a soil with a high organic content. In that case, you will get
capillary action which will move some water up a few inches. However, if
it dries out during the summer, it may take more watering than a flat
area. Generally, the water is higher in the spring and gets lower as
summer progresses. That's OK because the plant roots grow to follow the
water (although some plants never develop deep roots).

Sandy soil has some capillary action, but it might be only an inch. Clay
soil, forget it. Add some peat moss to lighten it up.