Grass drainage/muddy lawn

[Beefpotnoodle]

Hi Robieee, things aren't that bad...I have the same conditions but just over 200m2! I intend to completely renovate my garden. I'm still researching how's best to improve my garden and certainly don't have the money to hire a professional (or even a cowboy for that matter). I'm consider adding lime to my garden, digging in to 9" all over, in stages. The lime increases the ph and can help break the clay down. How much you need will require tests, but 1kg of hydrated lime per sq m will increase the ph by 1, 7 being neutral. This is sufficient for my garden. Once that's been done I'm thinking of putting a 2" layer of gravel and sharp sand in, topping off with 4" of top soil for grass. I have to dig the entire garden anyway so suits me, I don't really want yo be digging in soak aways every so often as well!
Research says you can add lime to the ground surface but thus takes a few years to penetrate. Plus lime can be hazardous when handling so a word of caution!
If its for a simple play area for your kid, how about building a pagoda with clear upvc sheets on top? The grass will be kept fairly dry. Add some drainage and waterbutt and hey presto!

 

[munchingB]

i would seriously advise against adding lime to your soil.

i know quite a few professional gardeners and landscapers and i know none of them would ever consider adding lime to soil in a garden.

 

[sergeantash]

I have heard that adding sand to your lawn can help with dampness/boggy ground - also core drilling deep small-bore holes into your lawn for increasing drainage below potentially compacted mid-levels.

 

[J_N30]

I have heard that adding sand to your lawn can help with dampness/boggy ground - also core drilling deep small-bore holes into your lawn for increasing drainage below potentially compacted mid-levels.

Soak aways are useless in clay, they just fill.

 

[r896neo]

Ideally you want gypsum not lime as lime will really affect soil ph.

Gypsum is the main ingredient in so called clay breakers.

Adding lots of grit will help. Organic matter will really help too but not under a lawn as it will sink as it rots leaving low spots