Improve drainage in already planted heavy clay landscape?
newkou
2 years ago
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newkou
2 years agoRelated Discussions
Landscape Design Forum FAQ - Improved
Comments (7)While I think that the "FAQ" as outlined by swanoir was presented tongue in cheek ('the humus'), many of the subsequent comments and/or links to threads that could/should be included in a FAQ were presented in a more serious tone. And maybe they do make sense as a foundation to a real LD forum FAQ. But I've also sensed something else in these comments that may contribute to the apparent lack of communication between new posters seeking advice and those that regularly frequent this forum and offer it. And that is that the long checklist provided by Miss R must be (or should be) answered in detail before posting. Well, of course not! But it is definitely something worth reviewing and giving some thought to. This checklist, or something very similar, is what most designers utilize when first meeting with a prospective client. It gives them a feeling for what the client wants to do with the property, how they intend to use it, what they hope to get out of it and how much effort (time/$$) are they are intending to put into it. Hopefully, reviewing an outline or checklist such as this could help to refine and focus some of those blank slate questions and even educate those new posters totally unfamiliar with the process the degree of complexity, the number of variables and exactly what is involved in the formulation of a landscape design. Even DIY landscape texts intended for the homeowner with no previous design or landscaping experience offer similar checklists to get one started thinking about the process. Obviously, this is overkill for those questions that are more issue-specific, but I think very appropriate for those that are much broader and far less focused....See MorePlanting containerized trees in heavy clay
Comments (15)Good inputs! My experience planting trees is limited. So far, I only have a couple hundred chestnut trees in the ground. I've tried two methods so far. The first method was to auger deep holes and amend below the tree with no rocks as well as around the rootball. The auger size gave me a hole about 9"-10" in diameter and about 3' deep. These trees were started in December from nuts under lights indoors. They were a foot to 18" tall when planted the following April. I used no weed control but they were mostly planted in clover fields and the clover chokes out many of the weeds. Some of the containers were about 5" in diameter and others were closer to 9". I did try to protect most of them from browsing with tree tubes. Some I used short 18" solid tubes on the bottom with 3' mesh tubes on the top On others I used 3' solid tubes with 3' mesh tubes on the top. None had supplemental water. These trees now have 2 growing seasons under their belts. I'd estimate I had about 15% losses so far. These trees now range from about 4' to 7' tall. While I did not keep track tree by tree, my sense is that the ones in the wider containers (less amended soil between the root ball and native soils) grew better during the first summer. The second method I tried was to plant them from small cells (about 2 1/2 x 2 1/2 x 3 deep). With these I used a planting bar in a non-traditional way. I jammed the blade into the ground and rotated to carve out a hole the size of the cell. Again, I used no weed control but did use small tubes on half and left the other half unprotected. These were 9"-12" when planted. These trees have only been in the ground one growing season, so I won't really know survival rates until spring. My general sense is that while the planting effort is much lower, my survival rates will also be lower. Because I'm growing these trees from seed, the cost per tree is low and I am willing to accept some losses. You folks are absolutely correct about the bathtub effect and that is what I was going for. My intent was to create that bathtub far enough below the rootball that I don't drown the tree. I'm sure that in some cases I failed to get it right. I was hoping that adding the rocks would create more voids to hold water below the root ball. For those who suggested weed barriers and allowing trees to mature more before planting, I'm doing that as well. In those cases, I have a lot more invested in each tree and do plan will be planting these in more strategic locations with more care. In addition, I'll probably be retrofitting my best trees with gly and a weed barrier. I wanted to let them get a couple growing seasons under their belts first. Since I can't afford to do this will all, I figured I'd do it with the strongest. Thanks again for all the insights. Keep them coming. I'm learning as I go. Merry Christmas!!!...See MoreHeavy clay drainage issues
Comments (12)I agree with floral,thirsty trees are not a solution,that's simply adding additional trouble. I have suggestions, by far the best one is asking for the money back spent for drains or haveing landscaper finish the job of draining the garden. Lesson here is don't tell contractors what material and method unless you are knowledgable on the subject. You pay them them to" make my garden drain" not "install drain tile". Option 2 combined with part of option 3 sounds like a plan "IF" the tile are sloped and freely empty. Re; Option 3. Option 2 will raise the entire garden above the waterlogged clay. Adding a layer of gravel/hardcore straight onto and surounding the tile then cover with silt cloth then option 2 should alow drainage. If landscaper failed to install gravel and cloth above tile there's no suprise it doesn't drain. Does the tile run to daylite? If tile daylite's,have you looked for water flowing out while soil is waterlogged? It should be if properly installed. If water flows from tile they are doing their job but there might be a spring or waterline underground making it impossible to dry area out....See MoreClay Soil Drainage Issue With Newly Planted Canary Island Pine
Comments (3)It’s been 7 days since we’ve watered last and there’s still 8 inches of standing water measuring. ==>>> why are you watering.. if there is water in there.... it seems you are more fixated on your watering schedule.. rather than water when the tree needs it ... do not amend the soil ... ever ... i would get some mulch on the bare dry soil ... mostly because i suspect.. you look at it.. and think the soil is too dry and it makes you want to water ...... except you know its flooded down below ... so dont look at it.. lol .. and no landscape fabric ... read the link regarding clay soil.. and watering ... ken https://sites.google.com/site/tnarboretum/Home/planting-a-tree-or-shrub...See Morenewkou
2 years agoken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
2 years agoCecily Grace zone6
2 years agolast modified: 2 years ago
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Cecily Grace zone6