Back Garden Drainage ?

Question

Over these past 5 years the drainage on our small back garden has failed. There are several trees, and bushes, but the soil is heavy clay underneath. In hot summers! the ground is rock hard. But in the wet the rain lies on the lawn to a depth of two to three inches – for days. and floods half way up the lawn to the back of the house.
We have been here 30 years, without this problem before. I checked on a hole the gas pipe people have just laid outside the front garden, -and although it was a metre deep, there was little water in the bottom.
My house is in the middle of a block- with other gardens to the right, left and bottom, the house on my left has the same problem, the house on my right and bottom fence – both back on to a sub station. (where the ground is paved of course). seem unaffected.
The land was farming meadow until 1965.

any suggestions please?

Answer 1

It sounds as though the clay soil has gotten compacted. You will have to contact the local authorities in your country before you start digging around, though. There may be lines, or things underground that wouldn't be good to hit.

You will have to amend your soil for drainage. If that fails, you will have to install drains that can take water out of your yard.

These articles will help:

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/how-to-improve-clay-soil.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/organic/how-to-easily-improve-your-clay-soil.htm