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If your soil is too ‘extreme’?
Improve moist soil by digging in lots of bulky organic manure. To dry it, install a drainage system.
On free draining soil, improve moisture retention by digging in bulky organic manure (wonderful stuff!) or installing an irrigation system. Be patient though, as this won't happen overnight.
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Test your garden’s drainage
- Dig a number of holes about 30cm (1ft) deep at random points across the garden
- Fill with water
- Leave to drain away naturally
- If it takes more than 24 hours to disappear, drainage is poor
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Check the height of your water table
- Dig a 60cm (2ft) deep hole at the lowest point
- Watch it for a couple of days in winter (when the water table is at its highest)
This will show you at what point plant roots will be in standing water – important since many drought-tolerant species die if they have ‘wet feet.’
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