Message Board - Irrigation: drainage probs
19 Feb 2010 by david woodhouse
hi all.
i'm looking for some advice on how i can improve the drainage of rain water on a garden lawn that i take care of.
The area concerned is at the bottom of a steep grassed slope at oneside and then there is another long slightly sloped lawn on the otherside so alot of falling water ends up here.
Here's the major headache. The whole area was ( donkey's years ago ) a working quarry and so is sat on rock. Before the turf was layed the level was raised with soil/rocks and then a final 5 inch of half decent soil was put on top.
Last summer the whole area was aerated at 4/5 inch but in places the machine was bouncing on the rocks below. This doesn't seem to have improved the drainage though,as at the moment (feb) there is 1 inch of water, in some areas, sat on top.
The area covers around 300 sq meters.
Look forward to your ideas. Thanks.
19 Feb 2010 by Ken Barber
It sounds like the drainage may have been capped with the various layers added.
A Robin Dagger may be your cheapest and best solution. Drill holes down to the rock layer. Wiggle a pointed stick around the hole to enlarge (broken fork/spade handle makes very good tool) and fill to the top with pea gravel!
KB
The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under who’s shade you do not expect to sit.
19 Feb 2010 by Grassman2011
Can the water actually go anywhere at the bottom of the garden ?
19 Feb 2010 by david woodhouse
There is a 4 meter wide planted up border that runs the full length of the lawn but after that there is a 15 meter high rock face,again the full length of the lawn.
20 Feb 2010 by Grassman2011
Possible damn! problem then.
20 Feb 2010 by Ken Barber Last edited 20 Feb 2010
Water will generally find its way through rock fissures. Have you checked whether the top-soil added is allowing water through. Dig several test holes down to the rock layer, in the problem area, and monitor whether water is constantly trickling into any of these over a couple of days. If the answer is yes, then at least you'll know whether the water can drain away through the rock and whether it is the top-soil holding it back.
KB
The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under who’s shade you do not expect to sit.
22 Feb 2010 by Paul-Plymouth
Might be an idea to build in a water feature :-)
24 Feb 2010 by david woodhouse
Thanks for that paul I will set straight to it and start digging for that duck pond.
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