COLUMNIST: KATIE REYNOLDS
Waterlogged soil is a common feature, and is becoming an increasing problem in Scotland. Not only are extreme weather conditions frequently causing localised flooding, but we are generally experiencing wetter and milder winters - all of which can cause issues in the garden if we are not prepared for it.
A saturated piece of ground could be due to a number of factors including poor drainage in the surrounding area, accelerated surface water runoff from hard landscaping, being on a flood plain, or having a high water table level in your garden.
The issue is often seasonal, with the boggy area being worse in the winter when the water table is higher and there is increased rainfall.
It can also be due to more complex reasons which requires further investigation, such as a broken drain or a natural spring.
Put simply, there are two main ways to deal with this: either to improve the drainage, or work with the soil and conditions that you naturally have.
If the boggy area of your garden is being addressed as part of a wider project, then drainage may be a good choice for you. There are various options depending on the specific site, with French drains, soakaways, or underground channels all being possible solutions.
Before automatically opting for pipework however, the environmental impact should be considered. Is digging up the area and installing drainage definitely the best option, when in some cases the waterlogged area could be planted up, or used to attract wildlife? Where possible, I would personally prefer to work with the natural conditions rather than fight them, by designing a garden which enhances the environment.
There are various design solutions which can work really well in creating a natural habitat for native flora and fauna thanks to the boggy area of your garden.
If the area is not too badly waterlogged and is a manageable size, then a simple approach is to improve the soil by working in lots of compost or organic matter, and then plant it up.
Mixing the compost with sand or coarse grit will further help the conditions, making the soil more aerated so that plants are less likely to rot. This is a long term strategy which needs to be worked on over time, with at least two applications of compost 10cm deep or more every year to improve the drainage.
Planting trees in the boggy area can also really help soak up the water. Willow, alder, and river birch are all good options for wet areas.
A waterlogged area is an ideal opportunity to create a pond and improve the biodiversity in your garden. Inviting wildlife into your garden has so many benefits for the ecosystem, as well as the personal enjoyment you will get from seeing dragonflies, newts, frogs, and toads in your garden, amongst other animal life.
Preferably the pond will be positioned in an area that does not have overhanging trees so leaves do not swamp the water in autumn and winter. A little bit of shade however is fine, and will help keep algae under control.
Ponds are best created on differing levels with a shallow area for wildlife to be able to get in and out. Dig out a hole and lay a butyl liner, fill with rain water (which should not be a problem if it is already in your boggy site), and plant up with a combination of oxygenating plants submerged in the water, emergent plants in shallower water, and marginals on the edge. With a bit of planning - and some professional help if required - it will transform an unattractive muddy patch in your garden into a beautiful focal point.
It is important to acknowledge that ponds do require a level of maintenance, so a less work-intensive solution is to have a bog garden. This may also be a preferable option from a safety aspect if you have young children. If the area is sizeable, then you can add a walkway or some stepping stones to access it without compacting the soil.
A bog garden is a permanently damp area and is created in a similar way to a pond. The soil is dug out - about 30cm deep is fine - and a layer of gravel is added to ensure good drainage. This means that the area will stay moist as it is naturally waterlogged, but it will not pool water. Then replace the soil you initially removed and let it settle for a week or so before planting up.
Plant choices can include the marginals that you would plant on the edge of a pond. Primula, rodgersia, Sanguisorba officinalis, Persicaria bistorta ‘Superba’, and Iris pseudacorus are all moisture-loving and do well in these conditions.
However you choose to deal with the waterlogged area, my overall advice is to look to the natural world of plants and wildlife to transform a problem area into a place of beauty.
Katie Reynolds Design offers garden and interior design services across Aberdeenshire and the North East of Scotland. She is qualified in both sectors, having trained at KLC School of Design in London, and the National Design Academy.
Gardens and interiors are often treated as separate entities in the design world but Katie is passionate about integrating the two disciplines, believing that together they define your home.
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