Too much drainage in sandy soil can be an annoyance, you have to water repeatedly in dry weather and it is necessary to build up a water-holding structure by adding as much organic matter as you possibly can. Faulty drainage is a lot more than merely a nuisance, it can be a plant killer. Stagnant water laying all around the roots starves them of air.
Helpful bacterial activity is stalled and harmful organisms flourish. Toxic gases build up and the overall result's are poor growth in the beginning and then the eventual death of the plants if conditions do not improve.
Poor drainage is associated with heavy topsoil. Water moves very slowly through clay, so the answer is to improve the structure by cultural means. blocked drainage is a more major problem, as the downward movement of water is not just slowed down - it is blocked.
There are actually three prime causes:
Non-porous rock below the soil, a sub-surface pan below the topsoil or a high water table in the area (the level at which porous rock is saturated with water). Soils with impeded drainage are saturated for long periods during the winter time, so some remedial action is vital.
Either of the following methods mentioned below may solve your problem. It all is dependent upon what problem you find yourself having to face as well as the kind of soil you have.
Cultural Aids:
Poor drainage brought on by a high clay content in the topsoil can be improved by double digging in the autumn. Under no circumstances should the rough clods be broken down at the time of digging - leave them to be crumbled through the action of wind and frost during the winter months.
Double digging will also break up a thin soil pan therefore enabling water to drain through. Occasionally the sub-surface pan is just too thick to be penetrated with a normal garden fork, instead use a pickaxe or steel bar and sledgehammer. In rare|In some cases} the pan cannot be broken. You will then need to use a man-made drainage system or else raise the level with brought-in-soil.
The crumbs created by digging provide temporary relief, but you have to build up a permanent crumb structure by adding heavy dressings of organic matter at regular intervals. Add calcium in the form of lime or chalk if the soil is acid - use gypsum if it is neutral or alkaline.
If the causes of poor drainage is either non-porous rock near the top or an abnormally high water table, an artificial aid is usually suggested. Laying drains is an expensive, tough and time consuming job, it is often better to tackle the issue by raising the soil level. Buy good quality topsoil and add it to the entire surface if the garden is small or use it to fill raised beds.
Artificial Aids:
A tile drainage system consists of a herringbone pattern of plastic or earthen ware tile drains. A rubble drainage system is made in the same way, however the drain pipes are left out.
Author Resource:-
I have been a keen gardener for many years now, but no one has all of the answers. If I ever need help I always use a company called Home Repairs. They are always willng to offer help and advice as and when I ask them for it.
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