Scooping them out couldn't hurt, it would allow the area to collect more
water and should stay wetter longer. I don't think I would build up the
sides tho, that might impede runoff from 'entering' the low area and
actually restrict the water accumulation, I think a more I would create a
gradual slope into the low spot to assist in runoff collection.

Just my two cents worth!

"Janet Price" wrote in message
...
J Kolenovsky wrote:
Oh my socks and little shoes! A person who will not alter a natural
situation and takes an opportunity to study the plants that would thrive
in that situation. Way to go, dementia. Please do visit my websites and
enjoy.

http://www.celestialhabitats.com
http://www.hal-pc.org/~garden

Janet could study the plants, determine the symbiotic relationships
between the plants and wildlife and then plant them, saving herself
time, money, and frustration, while achieving a fantastic success
record.

Janet, there are many possibilities for plant material and design. I
live in an upscale tear-down
(near downtown) area with one story's in between new 2 stories. I teach
people the benefits about bog gardens and their effectiveness as flood
damage reduction agents.

J. Kolenovsky

dementia13 wrote:

In Janet Price wrote:

I have heavy clay soil with several soggy areas and am looking for an
inexpensive way to eliminate or reduce them.

I have the exact same problem, and my plan is not to try and eliminate
those spots, but live with them by planting things that don't mind wet
soil. These spots aren't permanently wet, they just drain slowly after
heavy rain, so I'm looking for flood-tolerant plants like River Birch,
Sweet Bay Magnolia, Itea, Cypress, Clethra. If that approach works for
you, it might save you some time, money, and frustration.



Thanks all for the suggestions. Two of the four areas are not in spots
where I need to walk and could be made into boggy garden areas. They
are shady, however. The other two are not appropriately located--one's
just in front of the door to the garden shed. I think I'm going to try
digging a couple holes there this spring--deep as I can get them, drain
as much water out as I can, fill with rocks or gravel and cover with a
good layer of sod. Then next spring, if it's still soggy, I'll dig a
couple more holes.

Would it help to contain the boggy garden areas for me to sort of scoop
them out a bit more and build up the edges?

Janet

--
Janet Price