Puddles that linger for days, a lawn that squelches underfoot, and plants that rot over winter all point to poor drainage.
Fixing it starts with understanding why water is not draining.
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Find the cause
Dig a hole about 30 cm deep, fill it with water, and see how long it takes to drain. If water is still there after a day, the soil drains poorly — often heavy clay or compaction. If water collects only after rain from a neighbouring slope or downpipe, the issue is surface run-off.
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Simple fixes
- ✿Aerate compacted lawns with a fork or hollow-tine aerator
- ✿Add organic matter to beds every year
- ✿Redirect downpipes into a water butt or soakaway
- ✿Use raised beds for plants that dislike wet roots
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French drains and soakaways
A French drain is a gravel-filled trench with a perforated pipe that carries water away to a lower point or soakaway. It is effective but needs somewhere for the water to go. A soakaway is a pit filled with rubble or crates that lets water soak slowly into the ground.
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Work with the wet
In some gardens, the best answer is a rain garden or bog garden — a planted hollow that collects water and holds moisture-loving plants such as iris, astilbe, and ferns. Check local rules before diverting water toward boundaries or public drains.
This is general landscaping and garden information, not professional advice. Costs, regulations, and plant suitability vary by location. Call before you dig to locate buried utilities, and consult a licensed landscaper or engineer for retaining walls, drainage, and structural work.