Bad Drainage

[farreste]

Having recently constructed my greenhouse and turned my attention to the rest of the garden for cultivation, I have noticed that the water table is extremely high (6" or less below ground level). I know this could be down to seasonal variations or perched water tables (most of my garden is on a layer of clay), but is there any way I could promote better drainage?

I was thinking of digging a 'sump' or mini-soakaway somewhere out of the way of the beds so that the water would hopefully run-off and drain away at a steady pace when the rain has gone.

Any comments or suggestions guys?

[zazen999]

There have been a few threads about this over the last week or so - I'd look for you but I'm in and out tonight...

[ann-the-nan]

Bad Drainage

Wow, your garden sounds as bad as mine. I was almost surprised you live in Mickelover. I thought you were near me in Chipping Sodbury! When it's a bit on the bad side, he-who-thinks-he-should-be-obeyed always says, it's not so much muddy gardening, more, liquid engineering.By the time you have walked the length of the garden, there is so much sticky mud on your boots you are 4 or 5 inches taller. Having tried sand, "clay breaker", gravel, - you name it, I've tried it. As I am the gardener as himself can't manage it due to having had strokes, I just cant dig deep enough for drainage so can't help there. What I HAVE done though, is to put raised beds on my vege patch. As I am growing to eat, not to exhibits, rooted veg last year was long enough to eat.
Hope that helps.