removing boggy areas…

Question

I asked about plants and boggy clay ground. Thank you for your answers. Question for Susan Patterson (master gardener): I already have boggy ground but would like to be advised on how to break the clay up (help with drainage) and replace with good soil. 🙂

Answer 1

I am not Susan, but I am a master gardener. Having said that, there are great differences in different parts of the country. If you have boggy soil, you need to figure out where the water is coming from and re-route it somehow. If it is coming up from below, about all you can do (that I’m familiar with) is to dig a hole near by and use a sump pump. I realize that is impractical in most cases, but if it is available, it works well.
For improving the soil, just keep adding whatever types of compost you have available. For many years, I drove around in the pickup and picked up bags of leaves in the fall from wherever I would see them. Ask friends to save lawn mowings and use them. All food except meat and things cooked in oil. Oh, but NOT tomato or potato plants or parts.