Buying a house... area for garden?

[HeatherAtHome]

We're thinking of buying this house. If you scroll down to the second picture, you can see part of the backyard. We've had a very wet summer so far (last summer too!) and I'm wondering what we can do garden-wise.

The first time we looked at the house, was the beginning of May and the backyard was really squishy. I know the septic system/leech field is in the front yard so that isn't causing it. Possibly the water table was still high from snow melt + spring rain.

I looked at the house again last week and didn't even bother going into the backyard. It had been pouring rain for a week so I knew it was going to be wet. (Plus it was still raining and I didn't want to get wet.)

There is a ditch along the left side of the backyard. It's a little overgrown and could use some digging out which should help, but I'm wondering what else I can do?

Should we do raised garden beds? Will that solve the problem? I know we'd still be slogging along between the rows, but I was thinking if we do long rows of raised beds with wood/stone edging and keep the grass between beds, it might cut down on the mud factor.

Is there anything else I should think about? You can't tell from the pics, but there are trees/shade on the north and west side of the yard (back and left) but the south and east has plenty of sun coming in.

[limette]

Raised beds will definitely help and you can always put gravel in the pathways.

Does it flood? Could that be why it's soggy?

[HeatherAtHome]

Well the house is on a hill kind of near the top. The land in the front yard is a tiny bit higher and dry, the backyard is a little lower and soggy. (that I've seen) I'm sure if we had a stretch of decent weather it would be fine... but then I worry that if we continue to have wet summers my garden would rot and it would just be one big mud hole.

I was wondering if maybe there's a natural spring somewhere back there? And that's how there's extra water?

Another option I've thought about is getting a couple dump truck loads of dirt.... but the way the land is laid out, there's no way for a dump truck to get to the backyard. The lot is long and narrow with the house/woods/garage blocking access to the backyard.

[lmonter]

The backyard, is there a hill going on back there in the trees? Is is runoff coming down the hill attacking the lawn (if so, I'd be checking that foundation, too).

What kind of soil is probably back there? Hard clay doesn't really soak anything up to let it filter down, and if it's sandy, the water should just slide right along. Hubby's also thinking a natural spring back there. Neat if you can confine/harness it or do something, annoying if you can't.

[Close2Me]

Put an offer in, if accepted you have 18 days (or something along that) for it too pass inspection no money lost. Your offer should be contingent on inspection and let them know you want a 'water-tight' home & property and find out where the property lines are.