Our winters have become increasingly wet over the past couple of years, which can be bad news for your garden if it's not equipped to handle excessive downpours.
However, the issue might not be as blatant as seeing a water feature appear before your eyes when the weather takes a turn for the worse, and knowing how to recognise the signs of having a drainage problem can save you the hassle of having to deal with the long-term consequences associated with waterlogging.
The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) highlights two clues you can look out for to determine if your lawn struggles with this particular issue. These are:
- A squelchy feeling underfoot when you walk across your lawn
- A sticky layer of puddled soil on the surface of the lawn
Unfortunately, there is little you can do if your lawn does become seriously waterlogged, as dealing with the problem will likely involve you stepping on the affected area – which is a big no no!
This is because when you put your weight on a waterlogged spot it will compact the soil underneath even further, making your drainage situation even worse than it was before.
In order to address the problem, there are several steps you can take. Making slits that are approximately 2-3cm deep in the surface of your lawn can help improve its drainage capabilities, although a method the RHS says is more effective is 'spiking'.
This involves using a specialised tool that creates 10-15cm deep holes, which can then be filled with a draining material, enabling water to flow from less compacted areas. You should do this every few years if your garden is prone to waterlogging.
In terms of dealing with the damage caused by excessive water, you should apply fertiliser to the affected areas in the spring. This will help the grass to recover quickly and develop root systems that are better suited to flooding in the future.
