How to Change a Swampy Backyard

Soils are made up of a number of different substances, including water, air, organic matter and organisms, such as worms and nematodes. The amount of these items varies, according to your region’s climate, vegetation and bedrock layer. The factor that determines the texture of soil in a given area is the amount of air, or the pore spaces. When these spaces are small, even microscopic, the soil is composed of the tiniest particles: clay. During periods of heavy or prolonged rain, or in areas with a high water table, clay soil reaches its moisture-holding capacity quickly, creating a mucky, muddy swampy backyard. Unfortunately, clay soil compacts if it’s worked while it’s wet, so wait for it to dry to begin rectifying the situation.

Things You'll Need

• Spading fork or tiller
• Wood chips without sawdust
• Compost
• Rake
• Quarter 10 inch gravel

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Instructions

1. • 1

     Use a spading fork or tiller to loosen the top 12 inches of soil.

   • 2

     Pour a 4-inch layer of shredded bark, with the sawdust strained out, and a 4-inch layer of compost onto the soil and use the tiller or fork to combine it with the soil. Level the area with a rake.

   • 3

     Add a 5 inch layer of wood chips to the soil and spread it over the surface. Allow the chips to remain over the winter.

   • 4

     Till the soil in spring, mixing the wood chips into the top 12 inches of the soil. Level the soil with the rake.‭

   • 5

     Spread an inch layer of quarter 10 gravel over the area.

   • 6

     Apply a 4 inch layer of compost over the gravel layer. The area is now ready for planting.