It may not have rained that much in the last few months, but are you having drainage issues? Are you dealing with plants sitting in water from the irrigation system? Hidden just under the surface, poor drainage, is by far one of the biggest killers of shrubs in the landscape. And our good friend, manual labor, usually comes to mind when creating a solution.
Recently I found some newly planted azaleas that were dead. Knowing how drainage issues effect most plants, especially azalea, I went to the plants and pulled back the pine straw needles to get a better look at the soil. Next I felt the soil, and it was very wet. When I put the soil in my hand I was able to make a mud ball that was dripping wet. This is not a good sign. When I removed the plant from the bed, I found a puddle of water. This again, is not good.
Another constant problem with any new planting, is soil compaction. Because this is such a problem, I take more time prepping shrub planting areas by digging as deep as 2-3' and turning the soil over. This single practice of breaking up the soil 2-3' deep, has saved me from making frustrating return trips to properties to find out why my plants are dead.
The landscape contractor met with me on the site that had the azaleas with drainage problems, he informed me that he had indeed dug the planting area to my specifications. I had specified that, before he planted the azalea bed to use his mini excavator and dig down 2-3 feet deep to loosen up the soil and create positive drainage.
So why were the azaleas now sitting in water? The landscape contractor explained that when the local utilities were put in years ago, a major utility line was placed right where he needed to beautify and plant. The utility company made it clear that there couldn't be any deep digging, and that nothing other than a small tiller could be used. The ground was still very compacted under the azaleas and that was what was causing the incorrect draining.
Now what? Are we stuck because we are not allowed to dig into the compacted soil? Well, maybe not. Currently, we are constructing a french drain system in the area to give the water an alternative place to go. This involved digging a narrow trench, 6 inches wide and about 1 foot deep using shovels. The 4 inch drain pipe had weep holes in it to allow the water to get into the pipe. The pipe is covered with a mesh fabric, called a sock, that keeps soils out, but allows water in. Pea gravel rock is then poured around the pipe. I also like to put fabric over the pea gravel to keep the pine straw and top soil from leaching in.
Drainage issues come in different shapes and sizes. Some are fairly easy, some require some outside input. Drainage is critical to creating WOW curb appeal.
It may not have rained that much in the last few months, but are you having drainage issues? Are you dealing with plants sitting in water from the irrigation system? Hidden just under the surface, poor drainage, is by far one of the biggest killers of shrubs in the landscape. And our good friend, manual labor, usually comes to mind when creating a solution.
Recently I found some newly planted azaleas that were dead. Knowing how drainage issues effect most plants, especially azalea, I went to the plants and pulled back the pine straw needles to get a better look at the soil. Next I felt the soil, and it was very wet. When I put the soil in my hand I was able to make a mud ball that was dripping wet. This is not a good sign. When I removed the plant from the bed, I found a puddle of water. This again, is not good.
Another constant problem with any new planting, is soil compaction. Because this is such a problem, I take more time prepping shrub planting areas by digging as deep as 2-3' and turning the soil over. This single practice of breaking up the soil 2-3' deep, has saved me from making frustrating return trips to properties to find out why my plants are dead.
The landscape contractor met with me on the site that had the azaleas with drainage problems, he informed me that he had indeed dug the planting area to my specifications. I had specified that, before he planted the azalea bed to use his mini excavator and dig down 2-3 feet deep to loosen up the soil and create positive drainage.
So why were the azaleas now sitting in water? The landscape contractor explained that when the local utilities were put in years ago, a major utility line was placed right where he needed to beautify and plant. The utility company made it clear that there couldn't be any deep digging, and that nothing other than a small tiller could be used. The ground was still very compacted under the azaleas and that was what was causing the incorrect draining.
Now what? Are we stuck because we are not allowed to dig into the compacted soil? Well, maybe not. Currently, we are constructing a french drain system in the area to give the water an alternative place to go. This involved digging a narrow trench, 6 inches wide and about 1 foot deep using shovels. The 4 inch drain pipe had weep holes in it to allow the water to get into the pipe. The pipe is covered with a mesh fabric, called a sock, that keeps soils out, but allows water in. Pea gravel rock is then poured around the pipe. I also like to put fabric over the pea gravel to keep the pine straw and top soil from leaching in.
Drainage issues come in different shapes and sizes. Some are fairly easy, some require some outside input. Drainage is critical to creating WOW curb appeal.