If you’re dealing with a yard that doesn’t drain properly, it can be frustrating when you want to plant water-sensitive plants.
While some plants can thrive in areas with excess water, others will suffer and die.
It’s important to know the drainage requirements of each plant before deciding where to plant them.
To test the water retention of your soil, dig a ten-inch hole and fill it with water.
If the water hasn’t disappeared within 10 hours, your soil has poor drainage.
This is not suitable for most plants, and you’ll need to take measures to improve it if you want your plants to survive.
One common method to enhance drainage is to create a raised bed.
This involves building a border and adding enough soil and compost to raise it at least 5 inches above the surrounding yard.
This simple modification can significantly improve water drainage.
The process varies slightly depending on whether you’re starting the raised bed on grass or dirt.
If you’re starting a raised bed in a non-grassy area, it’s relatively easy.
Use a border, such as two-by-fours, to retain the added soil.
Adjust the ratio of soil and steer manure based on the waiting period before planting.
Creating a raised bed on existing sod is a bit more challenging.
You’ll need to cut the sod around the perimeter of the garden and flip it over.
This requires a sharp tool to slice and lift the edges.
Adding a layer of straw on top of the flipped sod can prevent grass from growing back.
Then, add the necessary soil and steer manure.
Planting in the raised bed follows the same process as regular planting.
Just make sure the roots don’t extend too far into the original soil.
The purpose of the raised bed is to keep the roots out of easily saturated soil.
Extending the roots too far would defeat this purpose.
Once your plants are in the raised bed, you’ll notice immediate improvements.
The added soil promotes better root development, prevents evaporation, and discourages decomposition.
These factors create an ideal environment for plant growth.
Don’t be intimidated by the idea of modifying your yard’s topography.
It’s a straightforward process, and the long-term benefits outweigh the effort involved.