What can I do to improve my soil's drainage?

Drainage refers to how easily water passes through the soil, which is heavily dependent on the soil's texture and structure. Sandy soils have faster drainage, so they may need to be watered more frequently to keep plants from drying out. Clay soils have slower drainage, so while they may retain moisture for long periods of time, they may also suffer from water ponding at the surface and be prone to overwatering. Similar drainage issues can occur with compacted soils that are too dense for water to infiltrate easily.

What can you do if your soil has poor drainage? Organic matter is the most common and well-known additive to improve soil drainage. Soil drains better when it contains more organic matter, such as manure, compost and mulch. This is thanks to organic matter improving the structure of the soil and promoting the formation of aggregates. Soil aggregates are basically chunks of soil materials--and strong aggregates leave open pore spaces between them, allowing water to flow through more easily. For poorly drained soils, add the organic matter at the surface or into holes dug for new plantings, and avoid over-tilling since it will disrupt the formation of stronger soil structure. Good compost is worth its weight in gold – well, at least in your garden.