What hedge plants can I grow near to soakaways?
Joyce Cruickshank, Nairnshire
A CHRISTINE SAYS Modern soakaways are usually rows of permeable underground pipes where water can drain away. The two soakaways you mention will suit different plants.
The rainwater one will make the area wetter, so needs plants able to cope. Flooding will probably make that soil more acidic and nutrient poor. The waste-water one will bring nutrients to the area, so will suit a different group of plants. In both cases there will be a risk of roots infiltrating the system so avoid most trees and strong growing shrubs. Preferably cover both areas with turf or herbaceous, shallow rooted plants.
I can’t recommend a suitable hedge, so I suggest a fence to avoid costly repair work later.