The Message Board

RE: Very wet garden bed

Posted 929 days ago

If water is a real problem then the only way to go is to put in raised beds. They could look good at about 30cm high and then you could plant any of the cottage garden plants you desire.

RE: Very wet garden bed

Posted 902 days ago

I am pretty sure that "bearded Iris" loves damp area and definitely "Celery" loves wet feet and little bit of salt in soil as well.

RE: Very wet garden bed

Posted 895 days ago

Sounds like you have dranage problem.If you don't want to spend the money building up beds try natives such as callistemon "little John" grows to about a metre but loves a good trim to keep it neat and tidy. Also swamp banksia will fare quite well.

You won't have luck with camellia's as they detest wet feet, the roses shouldn't mind too much as they are semi-dorment in winter anyway.

Go with a mix of bulbs also. Irises and gladioli in winter-spring and lilies for spring-summer, they don't mind sodden soil either, this will help you with your cottage look.
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Wanna share info!

RE: Very wet garden bed

Posted 888 days ago

"Bearded Iris" almost loves to stand in water too.

RE: Very wet garden bed

Posted 888 days ago

Uupss, sorry said already before.
(Helps to read before posting)

RE: Very wet garden bed

Posted 871 days ago

I noticed nobody pointed out something that will really aid drainage with little effort.

The use of regular applications of liquid wetting agent opens pores within the soil and, if you have it raised, it will dissipate a lot of the water. The only issue that may hamper you, is if you have a lot of heavy rainfall that keeps this area soaked. Every month or two, reapply, depending on the effect you are seeing.


Granular wetting agent can be heaped and turned into the soil for a longer lasting effect.

If you have any knowledge of wetting agents and think this seems contradictory, think again. Wetting agents increase the 'wetness' of dry, waxy soils, yes. But this same mechanism that allows for water penetration (surfactant properties) into the dry soil will actually release water from overly damp soil. With added wetting agent, the soil will only retain enough water without causing dampness issues.

If you want to be cheap, mix up some sunlight washing up detergent and use that - but remember, this degrades much much faster and will only have a transitory effect. So I'd go with proper wetting agent for a long term effect.

Drainage piping under the beds is another way to remove unwanted water if you are willing to put in some elbow grease and a bit of money for a more thorough solution. The pipe has holes all along it for water to seep in, then it takes the path of least resistance (the pipe!) to exit elsewhere.

There have been some GREAT plant suggestions as to what you might like to plant, but by fixing the root of the problem, you can choose what you wish!


I really hope this remedy solves your problem!

Regards,
Nick