Community Garden

Community Garden

Hey folks! I just started working on a ~0.07-acre community garden plot that’s been neglected and has compacted clay soil. I’m treating this as a fixer-upper and a chance to learn, since I don’t have land of my own—so I’d love to experiment and grow my permaculture skills here.

After working in the rain, I noticed a lot of standing water. A neighbor mentioned that both of our plots sit at the bottom of a subtle slope and have had persistent drainage issues for years.

That got me thinking: How can I improve drainage and make the most of this natural water flow using permaculture methods like swales, trenches, or maybe even a small catchment pond at the lowest point?

Are there any low-cost, beginner-friendly DIY strategies to transform this compacted, poorly-draining clay plot into a mini permaculture paradise?

Where I’m standing for the picture of my plot is pretty close to the highest point, the lowest point is directly across in the back corner with ~1-3 degree slope.

Any insight or suggestions are welcome!