Tony McC wrote:Might be worth puncturing through that 'stone' layer just to check what's beneath.
However, I'd hazard a guess that you would be OK to install a shallow-ish land drain
May well find a tunnel to the woods under the stone - would explain how well it appears to drain.
Will get the spade out at the next opportunity and have another go at it.
How deep would a shallow-ish land drain actually go? I'm beginning to think I might as well hire a turf cutter and get rid of the entire existing lawn -about 30sq m (I maybe put in in the front garden to bring up a few low spots) as it'll get trashed by the plant I need to level the ground, as well as having a land drain installed under it.
Nice one. thanks. Will probably dig the trenches for that with the excavator I hire next week.
Is there a particular pattern/layout that would be most effective? I'm thinking of just a simple grid - 2 runs parallel to each patio edge, and then a quantity of pipes crossing the lawn to distribute & disperse - is there a recommended spacing or density for distribution pipes?
Dug the hole a bit deeper.
Under the stones is a bit more yellow clay, and under that is blue clay. The blue stuff is fairly flaky looking, which might amount to its drainage properties. I fear I may be verging into the territory of geologist and departing the realms of hard landscaping, but I can't help be fascinated by what's underneath us all... sorry.
- would explain how well it appears to drain.