Check where rainwater goes

When to do it

After ordinary rain, once it is safe to walk on paths. Observe first; avoid digging wet beds.

What you need

• A notebook or phone for observations
• Gloves and a small rake
• A trowel for a later check when the soil is workable

How to do it

1. From a path, note where water collects, where it runs off and which areas remain wet after nearby ground drains. Photograph the same spots for comparison.
2. Gently lift a small patch of thick, matted leaves. Compare the soil beneath it with nearby uncovered soil: a wet surface can hide dry soil.
3. Move excess matted leaves to a leaf-mould container. Retain useful loose cover and keep debris away from plant stems.
4. After the next rain, look again. If water now reaches the soil, the surface barrier was part of the problem. If the root area remains saturated, pause watering.
5. For persistent pooling, seek local advice on soil, slope and drainage before excavation or additives. Keep any floodwater or suspected contaminated runoff out of food-growing decisions until locally assessed.

What success looks like

• You can identify the wet areas and whether the soil beneath the cover is wet or dry.
• A cleared surface lets rain through; persistent pooling is recorded for further diagnosis.

Watch out for

• Assuming all pooling means water-repellent soil.
• Digging trenches or adding gypsum without diagnosis.
• Walking repeatedly over a saturated bed.

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