Knowledgebase

Soggy Spot in Yard - what to do? #873491

Asked June 17, 2024, 4:30 PM EDT

Hello, we have an area in our backyard that always has standing water or is extremely soggy. It is located in an area where water from neighbors' sprinklers, rain, etc. flow down to, and the soil here is clay. We've checked and the irrigation system pipes is not leaking, and we also have a French drain that was installed in the yard (not exactly in that spot, but nearby as seen in the pictures). This issue started when we had to have a tree removed from the area. What do you recommend we do to resolve this issue? We've heard about rain gardens, but aren't sure given the type of soil we have (as well as proximity to our potager garden and another tree). Thank you for your advice and help!

Hennepin County Minnesota

Expert Response

Hello!

Thank you for taking the time to send those detailed photos.  They've given me a clear understanding of the situation.

You mentioned clay soil, which can significantly impact the wetness, especially if there's a lot of water running to that spot.  Rain gardens are an excellent solution, offering a promising way to manage this.  Here is some information:. https://extension.umn.edu/landscape-design/rain-gardens#test-the-soil-1778661

The first step is to test your soil. The article provides directions for how to do that. I would do it a couple of times and average the results. Also, keep in mind that the ground is saturated right now because of all the rain we have had, so maybe try the soil drainage test after things dry out a bit.

Another thing you may want to try is to get a long drill bit and drill many holes 8-12 inches deep in the area. Sometimes, the soil gets compacted, and the water has nowhere to go.  

Good Luck and thank you for reaching out to ASKExtension!

An Ask Extension Expert Replied June 20, 2024, 6:39 PM EDT

Loading ...