Soil Drainage
Most Bulbs, Perennials and many other garden plants require 'well-drained' soil in order to thrive. Areas that often have 'sitting' water or constantly soggy soil can quickly cause roots to rot and deteriorate, especially over winter.
Testing for Drainage:
Dig a hole 1-foot wide. Fill the hole completely with water and record how long it takes for the water to completely drain. The ideal time is between 10 and 30 minutes. If it drains in less than 10 minutes, the soil is drought-prone and most suitable for plants that need dry or very well drained soil. If it takes 3 to 4 hours, your soil is poorly drained, due either to a large percentage of clay or due to compaction or an impermeable layer of minerals below the surface that blocks water movement.
Improving Soil Drainage:
Any soil is improved by working in lots of organic matter, such as well-rotted manure, compost or peat moss. Thoroughly till or double dig the area to a depth of 10-12 inches. If your soil drains too quickly, organic matter will help it hold moisture. If your soil is poorly drained, organic matter will improve the texture. Very poorly drained areas may need to have drainage tile installed or you may need to garden in raised beds. Raising the soil level by just a few inches greatly improves drainage.
