There are a number of things you can do to alleviate the worst effects of a muddy and waterlogged garden.

It could be anything from making small changes to way you use the garden and the plants you might introduce to digging everything up and putting in new drainage.

This month I am exploring a few tips and ideas for those who are burdened with having to deal with muddy patches or slow draining soils.

Lawns
In smaller gardens prone to water-logging, a lawn can be a disaster. Lawns are often situated in the middle of the garden and serve as key access routes to the shed, the washing line, indeed most of the garden. Constant use on soggy soils will make it harder and harder for the grass to fight back and you are likely to be left with permanent gaps in the grass. It may be wiser to consider replacing the grass with a different material, such as stone, pebbles, a mosaic of brick and stone, or even decking.

If you are intending to keep your lawn, then you can alleviate water-logging damage by incorporating some stones in the grass as steps. Regular spiking of the lawn will also help drainage and minimise compaction. This time of year is a good time to replace really worn grass with new turf or grass seed but make sure you turn the soil well and add some gritty material to help with aeration before laying new grass.

Borders and bog gardens
October is a good time of year for turning over the soil and in a waterlogged garden this is particularly important. Make sure you gently break down the sides of the soil around the plants so that the roots have room to breathe. Add some mulch over the root area and dig in manure not only to help with nutrients but to help aerate the soil.

If you are finding some of your regular planting is suffering from compacted wet soil then you might need to introduce some shrubs and plants that like moist, soggy conditions.

Introducing a water feature with surrounding bog garden can be an ideal way to utilise a soggy part of the garden. Bog gardens with striking plants like Gunnera provide an exciting dimension to a garden and would also be good for attracting more wildlife. In spring particularly the birds will use the muddy soils as a helpful binding agent for their nests.

Drainage
If there is really no alternative then re-landscaping will allow the opportunity of dealing with drainage. If a central part of the garden is permanently waterlogged, it really would be worth the investment of adding a soakaway and some improved drainage ditches. A soggy, waterlogged garden is not only depressing to look at and to use, it also means a permanent trace of footprints in the house, especially if you have children or pets.

As the winter draws in it can feel a bit bleak in the garden and there is nothing worse than trying to deal with mud as well. Landscaping may be an expensive investment but it may have the effect of returning your garden to you. Why not get it sorted out before next summer?