raising soil level around hedge

Rhona2

I have a garden which lies lower than the pavement and is surrounded by a privet hedge. Due to the really wet winter, the garden was regularly flooded and there was standing water on our side of the hedge for many months. We have pumped the water out and are now considering raising the level of the garden to nearer the pavement height. Do you know how this will affect the hedge?

Hostafan1

how much would you be raising it? Might it be possible to did up and replant hedge?

pansyface

I think the privet would love it. But will the water table remain the same only buried under topsoil? Are you going to try and arrange drainage?

Rhona2

Thanks for such quick replies. It would be raised by about 10cm. Can't dig it up as it is ancient. The water table is really high so will always be boggy but with any luck raising the garden would stop it filling up like a giant bath tub and some of the run-off would drain onto driveway. Will get landscapers advice but was a bit worried as I thought some shrubs really hated being buried too deeply?

Fairygirl

I think privet performs better in damper ground. 

Topbird

I don't think there would be a problem with the hedge if we're only talking about raising the soil 10cm. I'd be slightly more concerned about the where the garden meets the house - unless that is also higher than the garden. 

You wouldn't want have soil above the level of the damp course or to do anything which moves the water retention problem nearer to the house walls.

But a good landscaper should be able to advise you on all this - it sounds as though there should be a solution

Rhona2

The house is also higher than the garden. The lawn is sunken and surrounded by low walls which is why the water is retained.... Thanks.

Topbird

Excellent news Rhona. 

Good luck with the project and fingers crossed it solves the problem for you