B&Q shoppers are sharing a £4.50 plant that will transform a waterlogged lawn

If you’re an avid gardener, you’ll know the havoc a waterlogged garden can wreak on your grass. It can lead to algae growth and fungal problems. A patch of moss could be seen further down the track.

But fear not, there are clever ways to turn that swampy mess into a green paradise. According to the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), compacted soil is often to blame for pools of water on your lawn, which can happen after building work or just from regular birds and play.

The RHS also notes that heavy clay soils and inadequate soil preparation when laying turf could be the culprits behind waterlogging. This unfortunate situation can strip the soil and grass of essential nutrients, resulting in damaged roots and unsightly bald patches. Fortunately, those with a knack for gardening have divulged the best tips for improving drainage and rejuvenating the soil.

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In the Gardening on a Budget Facebook group, a member asked, “What can I do to fix my garden that’s holding water and becoming like a kiddie pool?” Another green-fingered user responded with a proven solution that worked wonders for their new build garden, the Mirror reports.

Their advice was: “My garden used to store all the materials so it was very boggy. I put drainage on both sides and planted some conifers – their roots drink a lot of water. Then I made some holes in the ground and placed fine sand so far.

Self-proclaimed amateur gardener Tom Smart recounted his experience with The Guardian of the unintended result after removing a large conifer tree from his waterlogged lawn, resulting in “a big pond”. He realized that the absence of this tree made his situation worse.

He said: “Then I realized that removing this tree exacerbated the situation. A large, mature tree can absorb hundreds of liters of water per day. The tree acted as a pump, helping to improve drainage.”

For those interested in putting this theory to the test, B&Q offers conifers for £4.50 and Gardening Express for £7.99. Other members of the group recommended different solutions.

One suggested: “There are a few things – build a drainage pond, install drainage tiles. If it’s just that you have soil that holds too much water, mix in some sandy soil.”

Another member agreed, stating, “If your lawn doesn’t soak up water, you probably have clay soil and that’s what you need to aerate the soil with. You do it by adding, with the right equipment, big holes that fill you with fine sand.”

Organic matter should not be forgotten according to another: “Add lots of organic matter. Composted manure, regular homemade or store-bought compost, wood chips. Just pile on top and let the worms and ants do the hard work.”

You can get more tips and advice for your garden here.