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What can I plant in a wet clay area to dry out the soil?



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smellydogs
enfield, ct
Posts: 1
Posted: Sun Sep 06, 2009 11:30 am   Post subject: What can I plant in a wet clay area to dry out the soil?


After some construction to convert a brook in a cement culvert the back yard, at the bottom of my hill, was left as levelled clay. This area grows great grass but never dries enough to take the weight of the mower. I am forced to weed wack the area. Does anyone have suggestions on plants that could dry out the soil?




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toni


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North Texas, Zone 8a
Posts: 11244
Posted: Sun Sep 06, 2009 1:57 pm   Post subject:


I don't know of any plants grown specifically to dry out soil, maybe some one on here does. But it sounds like a drainage problem that needs to be corrected.

If it stays 'boggy' there you could find some sort of grass type plant that grows well in boggy areas and that doesn't require mowing.


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Papa2mykids
Kentwood, Michigan
Posts: 153
Posted: Fri Sep 18, 2009 1:10 am   Post subject:


Any sort of plants that enjoy wet feet, willows, certain wildflowers.

Cannas love wet feet. Wild iris,

Border plants and marginals that grow around and in ponds.

You may consider a rain garden for the area.

Maybe a small drain field or line is in order.

Ron


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Jewell


Regular Plants Contributor

Puget Sound Region of the Pacific NW (Washington State, US)
Posts: 1590
Posted: Fri Sep 18, 2009 4:45 am   Post subject:


Sounds like a great place to grow highbush blueberries...do they do well in your area? They won't dry out the area, but you should get huge berries if it is moist. (They have blueberry fields here in areas that flood during the winter (bogs) and dry out in the summer, much like what you are describing.


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ridkak
DENVER
Posts: 2
Posted: Fri Sep 25, 2009 6:56 am   Post subject:


HI, In my 'wet corner' in shade and heavy clay, I have Ostrich ferns, Goatsbeard, tiarella, Filipendula, Lobelia cardinalis and Lobelia x gerardi. Hostas, foxgloves and a white corydalis grow on the somewhat drier edges.

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