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

If your soil truly won't allow sufficient percolation for average rainfalls,
changing the tilth within the first few inches of depth really won't affect
much... plus without sufficient vegatative cover your newly amended soil
will just wash away on top of the clay layer.

You should try to get a soil test as soon as possible in order to find out
what's going on... perhaps even a boring.

A Landscape Architect or other qualified professional can advise you on
changes to the site elevations to promote positive flow away from your house
and the elimination of standing pools of water.



Dave

"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

Sometimes by taking the problem and making it the solution, you can end
up with an efficient way to handkle the situation. "Rain gardens" are a
good concept and fairly easy to make.

http://www.epa.gov/OWOW/info/NewsNot...42/urbrnf.html
http://www.nhg.com/db/iwatnam.htm

I tok a constantly "wet" area and made a "rain garden".

http://www.hal-pc.org/~garden/boggardenjuly.jpg
http://www.hal-pc.org/~garden/boggarden1.jpg
http://www.hal-pc.org/~garden/streetview.jpg

Every yard is a unique scenario to study.

JK
=

"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=
=2E In
Vancouver BC it is so wet all winter my lawn and garden of my 'new' h=
ouse
(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 compacte=
d and
I
will spike it in the spring. The soil is very thick and quite clay-li=
ke. I
tried to dig a dry well and that didn't go over well when it rained f=
or a
week before I could get any gravel to fill it, it mike make nice pon=
d
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



-- =

Celestial Habitats by J. Kolenovsky
2003 Honorable Mention Award, Keep Houston Beautiful
=F4=BF=F4 - http://www.celestialhabitats.com - business
=F4=BF=F4 - http://www.hal-pc.org/~garden/personal.html - personal

Sometimes by taking the problem and making it the solution, you can end
up with an efficient way to handkle the situation. "Rain gardens" are a
good concept and fairly easy to make.

http://www.epa.gov/OWOW/info/NewsNot...42/urbrnf.html
http://www.nhg.com/db/iwatnam.htm

I tok a constantly "wet" area and made a "rain garden".

http://www.hal-pc.org/~garden/boggardenjuly.jpg
http://www.hal-pc.org/~garden/boggarden1.jpg
http://www.hal-pc.org/~garden/streetview.jpg

Every yard is a unique scenario to study.

JK
=

"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=
=2E In
Vancouver BC it is so wet all winter my lawn and garden of my 'new' h=
ouse
(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 compacte=
d and
I
will spike it in the spring. The soil is very thick and quite clay-li=
ke. I
tried to dig a dry well and that didn't go over well when it rained f=
or a
week before I could get any gravel to fill it, it mike make nice pon=
d
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



-- =

Celestial Habitats by J. Kolenovsky
2003 Honorable Mention Award, Keep Houston Beautiful
=F4=BF=F4 - http://www.celestialhabitats.com - business
=F4=BF=F4 - http://www.hal-pc.org/~garden/personal.html - personal

On Tue, 03 Feb 2004 04:18:23 +0000, Joseph Chong wrote:

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


One thing that affects drainage is topography. Does water naturally
drain toward the garden? If so, then change the topography by building up
the garden beds so water slopes away or move your garden to an area where
the water does drain.

The best way to amend clayey soil is to add organic matter. Sand is not
on the recommended list of amendments. Gypsum would add lime. This you
don't need.

Get a soil test done and ask for the lab's advice on how to amend the soil.

Another solution might be to try raised bed gardens.

On Tue, 03 Feb 2004 04:18:23 +0000, Joseph Chong wrote:

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


One thing that affects drainage is topography. Does water naturally
drain toward the garden? If so, then change the topography by building up
the garden beds so water slopes away or move your garden to an area where
the water does drain.

The best way to amend clayey soil is to add organic matter. Sand is not
on the recommended list of amendments. Gypsum would add lime. This you
don't need.

Get a soil test done and ask for the lab's advice on how to amend the soil.

Another solution might be to try raised bed gardens.

On Tue, 03 Feb 2004 04:18:23 +0000, Joseph Chong wrote:

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


One thing that affects drainage is topography. Does water naturally
drain toward the garden? If so, then change the topography by building up
the garden beds so water slopes away or move your garden to an area where
the water does drain.

The best way to amend clayey soil is to add organic matter. Sand is not
on the recommended list of amendments. Gypsum would add lime. This you
don't need.

Get a soil test done and ask for the lab's advice on how to amend the soil.

Another solution might be to try raised bed gardens.

"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

"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

I sympathize with your problem. The water stays all around my patio. There is
a large maple tree there and I can't do much planting or digging there because
of the shallow roots. I will have to read more about rain gardens. I am
seriously looking into dry creek beds as a way to channel the water.

Marilyn in Ohio

"Allview" wrote in message
...
I sympathize with your problem. The water stays all around my patio.
There is
a large maple tree there and I can't do much planting or digging there
because
of the shallow roots. I will have to read more about rain gardens. I am
seriously looking into dry creek beds as a way to channel the water.

Marilyn in Ohio

A dry creek bed is a great idea. I've built several over the years for
clients. Here's some tips...
Make sure it drains away from your house or existing wet area (when it
rains)
The larger rocks should be darkest in color and furthest from the middle.
The smaller rocks, lighter in color, will accent the center line.
Avoid any straight lines or sharp bends. The creek should flow naturally.
Be careful of what you plant along the edge. Some plants will cross the bed
and eventually clog it.
Use porous weed barrier on the bottom to keep the rocks from sinking into
the soil.

Neat trick - scatter a small bag of marbles amongst the rocks. The sun will
make them sparkle like diamonds.

"Allview" wrote in message
...
I sympathize with your problem. The water stays all around my patio.
There is
a large maple tree there and I can't do much planting or digging there
because
of the shallow roots. I will have to read more about rain gardens. I am
seriously looking into dry creek beds as a way to channel the water.

Marilyn in Ohio

A dry creek bed is a great idea. I've built several over the years for
clients. Here's some tips...
Make sure it drains away from your house or existing wet area (when it
rains)
The larger rocks should be darkest in color and furthest from the middle.
The smaller rocks, lighter in color, will accent the center line.
Avoid any straight lines or sharp bends. The creek should flow naturally.
Be careful of what you plant along the edge. Some plants will cross the bed
and eventually clog it.
Use porous weed barrier on the bottom to keep the rocks from sinking into
the soil.

Neat trick - scatter a small bag of marbles amongst the rocks. The sun will
make them sparkle like diamonds.

"Allview" wrote in message
...
I sympathize with your problem. The water stays all around my patio.
There is
a large maple tree there and I can't do much planting or digging there
because
of the shallow roots. I will have to read more about rain gardens. I am
seriously looking into dry creek beds as a way to channel the water.

Marilyn in Ohio

A dry creek bed is a great idea. I've built several over the years for
clients. Here's some tips...
Make sure it drains away from your house or existing wet area (when it
rains)
The larger rocks should be darkest in color and furthest from the middle.
The smaller rocks, lighter in color, will accent the center line.
Avoid any straight lines or sharp bends. The creek should flow naturally.
Be careful of what you plant along the edge. Some plants will cross the bed
and eventually clog it.
Use porous weed barrier on the bottom to keep the rocks from sinking into
the soil.

Neat trick - scatter a small bag of marbles amongst the rocks. The sun will
make them sparkle like diamonds.

The larger rocks should be darkest in color and furthest from the middle.
The smaller rocks, lighter in color, will accent the center line.
Avoid any straight lines or sharp bends. The creek should flow naturally.
Be careful of what you plant along the edge. Some plants will cross the bed
and eventually clog it.
Use porous weed barrier on the bottom to keep the rocks from sinking into
the soil.

Neat trick - scatter a small bag of marbles amongst the rocks. The sun will
make them sparkle like diamonds.



These are terrific tips. I have filed them. Do you have any pictures that you
could send to me privately? I have one big question. I know where to drain it
from but where do I drain it to? Maybe dig a gravel filled hole behind a bush
somewhere?

Marilyn

"Allview" wrote in message
...

These are terrific tips. I have filed them. Do you have any pictures
that you
could send to me privately? I have one big question. I know where to
drain it
from but where do I drain it to? Maybe dig a gravel filled hole behind a
bush
somewhere?

Marilyn

Without seeing the area it's hard to say. Can you drain it to a road that
would have, hopefully, proper drainage? What about a lake, pond or a canal?
Failing that, how about letting it drain out into a large field?