Hi

I have a garden of 2 types, the top is fantastic - good top soil and
well drained. The bottom is solid clay with about 4" of topsoil on it.
I seeded last year and on the top have some lovely ornamental grass.

However, the bottom is a mud bath, not surprising really, it develops
10' by 4' puddles that take about a week to drain. The grass did take
initially, but unfortunately it tears up really easily under foot. I
have improved the drainage on the bottom by digging a sump and pumping
away the excess water, but although there is no standing water now, it
still gets saturated.

Can anyone recommend a grass mix for these wet conditions, that may
survive and even flourish in these type of conditions?

thanks

Andy

The message .com
from "AAJ" contains these words:


Can anyone recommend a grass mix for these wet conditions, that may
survive and even flourish in these type of conditions?

Pampas grass and cortaderia (toe-toe) grass both do spectacularly
well in wet conditions. In your situation I eliminated the swampy
mossridden "lawn" (which couldn't be walked on, let along sat on)
and planted a swamp/ bog garden. The centre is a magnificaent stand of 5
cortaderia, surrounded by gunnera, bullrushes, irises and primulas etc.
The yellow skunk cabbage are going to flower for the first time soon
:-)

Janet

AAJ wrote:
Hi

I have a garden of 2 types, the top is fantastic - good top soil and
well drained. The bottom is solid clay with about 4" of topsoil on it.
I seeded last year and on the top have some lovely ornamental grass.

However, the bottom is a mud bath, not surprising really, it develops
10' by 4' puddles that take about a week to drain. The grass did take
initially, but unfortunately it tears up really easily under foot. I
have improved the drainage on the bottom by digging a sump and pumping
away the excess water, but although there is no standing water now, it
still gets saturated.

Can anyone recommend a grass mix for these wet conditions, that may
survive and even flourish in these type of conditions?

I think you will find a few recommendations to make a bog garden will
come your way. Of course, if it dries out horribly in the summer,
you'll then be left with the interesting problem of how to keep it wet!
;-( But I'd suggest you contact e.g. Suttons and ask them for some
information and advice with this problem.
--
Sacha
www.hillhousenursery.co.uk
South Devon

In article ,
Janet Baraclough writes:
|
| Pampas grass and cortaderia (toe-toe) grass both do spectacularly
| well in wet conditions. ...

But watch out for dog blood on the carpet, with the first at least!
There are less vicious plants - including many grasses. A bed of
Norfolk reed would be a possibility :-)


Regards,
Nick Maclaren.

The message
from (Nick Maclaren) contains these words:


In article ,
Janet Baraclough writes:
|
| Pampas grass and cortaderia (toe-toe) grass both do spectacularly
| well in wet conditions. ...

But watch out for dog blood on the carpet, with the first at least!

None noticed yet. I'm not sure if this reflects the quality of our
dog, or our carpets :-)

I did a lot of work last year in what amounts to a pampas plantation,
many very old plants which dwarf me, and none of us had any problem with
cuts poking or slicing. I wonder if the blades are softer and less
razorlike when grown in a wet climate like this, than a dry one like
yours?

Janet

In article ,
Janet Baraclough writes:
|
| I did a lot of work last year in what amounts to a pampas plantation,
| many very old plants which dwarf me, and none of us had any problem with
| cuts poking or slicing. I wonder if the blades are softer and less
| razorlike when grown in a wet climate like this, than a dry one like
| yours?

My experience with it was in Wiltshire, on the Avon flood-plain!


Regards,
Nick Maclaren.