my plot resembles a lake!!!

casey

Hi,
Last year was a complete wash out as we all know.My allotment seemed to be underwater for most of the year.I am determined that we will reverse our bad fortunes and be productive this year!!
Hubby and me were met with what can only be described as a lake when we turned up yesterday full of enthusiasm ready to turn it all over.

We dedided to dig trenches either side to hopefully allow the water to flow into them instead of sitting on the top.

Does anyone have any advice for us? What can we do to improve the drainage?
Many Thanks, Casey

yoyoegg

Raised beds are likely the best bet, plus double digging and adding lots of grit.

safestored4

Much as per yoyo. The plots on our site which have fared best during the exceptionally wet weather of the last 9 months all have raised beds. Fortunately we are blessed with endless supplies of free wood chippings from local tree contractors, who, if they didn't give them to us would be charged for disposal by the local authority. The chippings are used for deep paths between beds (the soil from which is first put on the beds to raise the height) and the paths act as a sump helping to drain away the water. After a couple of years the chippings have rotted down and can be dug on to the beds as compost and replaced with fresh chippings. If you don't already have access to these it could be worth while ringing round your local contractors to sound out the position.

casey

Thanks for your responses.Double digging had been mentioned as a possible solution and so will try.We do infact have a supply of wood chippings dropped off by the council lanscapers so we will try the path suggestions aswell.
All we need now is a dry day to get started!!!
Thanks again

RAS

You need to find out where the water is coming from.

Generally look up hill. Have you got a spring above you? Or a drainage ditch that has become blocked and overflowing onto the allotment site? Or just a ditch at the top of the site that is blocked?

Sounds like one of these rather than a stream or river rising?