There can be significant variations in permeability within your garden due to foot traffic compaction and existing mature trees
Fill the holes you previously dug understanding your garden: soil mapping with water and observe for 30 minutes how quickly the water drains out… or doesn’t. If in 10 minutes the hole is pretty much empty I would say your soil permeability is high. Your soil is quite likely sand based. If it drains out in 30 minutes- 60 minutes I would call it a healthy level of permeability. If 24 hours later the holes are still holding water (full to 1/2 full) you likely have poor soil permeability and are probably working with a clay based soil. These results will be impacted significantly by soil compaction. I have seen soil compaction have a huge affect on how a soil can permeate water. A clay based loam can perform like a heavy clay when it is significantly compacted.
When you get results that are extremes of these situations you want to test the result again (with another hole) somewhere close by. You might find the first 10cm of the hole drain quickly then it slows right down.
It is useful to combine your knowledge of permeability with that of garden grades (slope). This knowledge will give you a really good idea of your gardens seasonal moist and dry spots and will heavily impact your planting design.
Note: If you don’t have a garden base plan please refer to previous blog
Understanding your garden: Creating a Garden Base plan & site assessment 101
Plants suited to free draining soils will often appreciate a raised garden location, especially if you are working with a clay based soil.
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