PLANTING IN POORLY DRAINED SOIL
How do I tell if my soil is poorly drained? This is a question we are asked often. Here is a quick and easy way to get the answer that you need.
Dig a hole about 12” deep. Fill it with water. How long does it take to drain? If it takes more than 2 hours, you probably have poorly drained soil.
If you determine that your soil is indeed poorly drained or boggy, it is best that you choose plant material that can tolerate water (see our hand-out “Plants for Wet and Poorly Drained Soil”).
When digging the hole for your plant, make sure you dig it twice as big and at least twice as wide as the root ball. Don’t, however, dig any deeper than the depth of the root ball. This is particularly important in poorly drained soil. Give your plant a good start and it will grow well for you. Don’t make the sides of your hole smooth as this creates a perfect bowl to hold water. At times, in particularly poor soil, it is best to plant with the root ball slightly above the soil line and then mound your amended soil around it. You might also try digging a trench away from your plant and putting drain rock in it to create a French drain.
When amending poorly drained soil, we recommend:
- Black Forest compost – mix 1/4 to 1/3 of amendment with your existing soil. Combine well.
- Soil Activator – mix 1/2 cup per cubic foot of amended soil.
- Drainage aid/Soil Conditioner – such as Turface, Pro’s Choice, Aquatic Planting Media, or Zeolite – at a rate of about 20% of total volume.
- Any other additives, such as lime, starter fertilizer, root stimulators, etc. can be added at this time.
Thoroughly mix these products in with your existing soil and backfill around your plantings.
About Us