Drainage problems

By James Middleton - Added 6th of May 2008

A change of allotment plans

The week starting 28th April was pretty much a wash out. My newly prepared plot couldn't cope with so much rain and as a result about a quarter of it was submerged beneath 14 inches of water.

I was horrified to see just the tops of my garlic poking through the tranquil waters! I thought I'd seen the last of this problem, but due to a number of issues including funding shortages for this year, there was always going to be a corner of the plot that was under risk of flooding despite the recent re-landscaping effort.

Due to the presence of sitting water on the plot, I have have to dig into a few of my paths and turn them into make-shift streams. The affected corner forms a bowl in the site and to drain water build up requires a lot of deep digging.

Carry on planting

Despite this set back, I have forged on with preparing the site and planting a few packets of seed. On a positive note, the rains have allowed me to further break down my heavy clay soil so that it is suitable for your seedlings. So far I have planted mainly salad crops including spring onions, spinach, lettuce and rocket.

I have also found time to work on my fruit section. Raspberries, gooseberries, blueberries, tayberries and rhubarb are now in the ground. I had to build up the soil a little around them due to the shortage of descent top soil. I also added plenty of well rotted manure beneath the plants as well as above to act as a water retaining mulch.

With the remaining plot now manured (though be it a little late for manuring - can't be helped), I now can set to work planting a few brassicas such as cabbage, cauliflower and sprouts.

Credits & Links

Article written by James Middleton - www.theallotmentgarden.co.uk.

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