Is Your Yard Hurricane & Snow Ready?
Gardens don’t just add beauty to your indoor and outdoor spaces; they can work miracles for yards with poor drainage! With hurricane season in full swing and winter snows just around the corner, now is a good time to discuss the importance of good water drainage and easy solutions for keeping your yard dry all year long.
Why Should You Inspect Your Yard Drainage?
A fall hurricane can quickly unleash inches of rainwater, while heavy winter snow or ice storms can melt for days. Both create unexpected water levels that need to drain from your yard. Homes with poor drainage risk expensive damages that may go unnoticed but ultimately create major problems.
Improving the drainage of your yard can prevent:
- Cracks in your home’s foundation
- Erosion of soil and standing water
- Costly repair bills
Fortunately, there are solutions that can keep you ahead of these lawn drainage issues – and add beauty to your yard!
Drainage Tip #1: Plant A Rain Garden
A simple way to channel water away from your home and foundation is to redirect the drainage into a rain garden. In three easy steps, you’ll have a beautiful way to absorb water from your yard.
Step 1: Decide On Placement
After a big rainstorm or sudden downpour, pay attention to how your yard drains. Where does water form puddles? Where does it direct toward your home? Identify the problem areas you want the rain garden to address.
Step 2: Select Your Plants
Next, you should choose a blend of absorbent trees, shrubs, and flowers for properly handling the runoff. These rain garden plants should have heavy roots and thrive in heavy water.
Here are a few examples of water-friendly plants that would make a great addition to your rain garden:
- Fountain grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides)
- Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum)
- Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis)
- Blue star (Amsonia ‘Blue Ice’)
- River birch (Betula nigra)
- American sycamore (Platanus occidentalis)
- Bladdernut (Staphylea trifolia)”
Our professionals at Fairview Garden Center would love to offer advice! We can help you select the perfect plants for your unique yard and design taste.
Step 3: Get Creative
Make your rain garden your own by adding edging, garden sculptures, or birdbaths to create a stunning focal point in your yard.
You should also consider the different heights and colors of the plants you select. You might choose some plants that can be updated seasonally or annually for a fresh look.
Drainage Tip #2: Add Rain Barrels
Another way you can use floodwaters for good is by adding rain barrels! These barrels will catch rainwater and allow you to redistribute it as you see fit. You can use the water for other areas of your yard that don’t get as much water. Or bring it inside to give your indoor plants a drink!
Want More Drainage Advice?
If you’re worried about your yard’s drainage, visit our garden center for advice and gardening needs. We can’t wait to discuss your next project! Before you stop by, learn more about identifying drainage issues with this Redfin blog.