Waterlogged soil….
I’ve been waiting and waiting and waiting, and I’m still waiting for a dry weekend to work on 4A and 5A. Unfortunately, the dreadful weather is showing no sign of stopping, so today, in desperation, I pulled on my wellies, donned my waterproofs and…. got totally soaked after spending and hour pottering on the plots.
My ground is literally drowning 
What can can I do? I’ve ‘googled’ the effects of waterlogging… ‘Water fills all the air spaces between the soil particles and this prevents oxygen from reaching the roots. In turn, this causes the soil to stagnate and prevents root growth’.
Mmmmm, it certainly isn’t stopping the weeds from growing on plot 4A! I need to draw up a plan of action…let’s face it, there’s nothing else I can do in such poor weather!
Today, on 4A, I tried to dig a hole but it filled up with water within minutes – I need to try to improve my soil structure! I’m planning to add lots of organic matter, such as garden compost, chipped bark or shredded clippings and manure. I’m told that I don’t necessarily need to dig it in, just add to the surface and let the worms do the rest. This should improve the soil drainage and also improve water retention in summer. The worms will have plenty to eat over winter too!
However, there’s not much I can do in this awful weather – indeed the less I do, at the moment, the better. Simply walking on the soil is going to make matters worse, so it’s best if I keep off. In fact, I have to resist the temptation to do anything until the water has drained away…‘If you dig a hole and it fills up with water, leave well alone!’
beentheredugthat 
If you’ve got room and you’re allowed them i can recommend planting fruit trees in areas prone to waterlogging.
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Thank you…Great news! I wasn’t aware that would help but by happy accident I’ve planted two dwarf apple trees and I’m waiting for another bare-root dwarf apple trees to arrive 🙂
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Don#t be disheartened 🙂 This is your first year isn’t it? And this is all part of the process of getting to know a plot, learning it’s good and not-so-good points and how to work with them. The apple tree idea sounds good … so now you can snuggle up at home, out of the rain, with big mug of something warm (or even a glass of something cold 😉 ) and and use this time to make your plan of action … what about other fruit trees as well? Pear, cherry etc? Also fruit bushes … anything that will soak up all that lovely rain, reduce your workload and give a good return with harvests that benefit from a good winter soaking 🙂
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Awww thank you for your kind words and encouragement 😆 Yes 10 months with 5A but plot 4A is a more recent acquisition! 4A spent most of the last 2 years overgrown with weeds and raspberries!! I have some Honeyberries, redcurrants, blackcurrants and gooseberries that need transplanting…4A it is then!! 😆
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Chipped bark and other wood chips leech the soil of nitrogen. Stick to shredded leaves, lawn clippings and compost.
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Thank you…I didn’t know that!! I’ll keep the wood chippings for the paths around the raised beds 😆
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Hey beentheredugthat, I think your blog is great and in recognition I’ve nominated you for The Liebster Award… The link is as follows: https://lifeatno27.wordpress.com/2015/11/28/the-liebster-award/ (sorry I couldn’t find an email link for you)… with love… Annabelle x
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Thank you…that’s very kind of you! I’ll take a look 😆
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Yep the apple trees will love the water in the soil. Lots of wood chips on top of the soil will help as well 🌴
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Good news! I’ve ordered a red apple..love apple I think it’s called…spotted on gardeners world and I’m hoping that they’ll act as a bit of a windbreak too!
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It would be nice if we come trade some of my dry dirt for some of your soggy soil. Oh well, in a perfect world.
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