A little rain is great for yards. It provides grass and plants with moisture, while also washing nutrient-rich soil towards them.
However, some homeowners have trouble keeping their yards mud-free. When it rains, it can erode the landscape and turn the area into a muddy mess.
So, what can you do to protect your yard from getting muddy?
Re-Seed the Lawn
One of the most common reasons why yards get muddy is because there’s not enough grass.
Grass is a natural barrier against erosion, slowing down rain runoff so it doesn’t wash away the soil. When there’s large patches of grass missing, however, it’s unable to perform this function; thus, the soil washes away and the ground becomes muddy.
If you have empty patches in your yard, re-seed it using a species of grass that’s appropriate for your region.
Check Downspouts
It’s also a good idea to check your home’s downspouts, ensuring they are far enough out and away that it doesn’t contribute to your runoff problem.
Ideally, downspouts should be ran directly to a ditch or creek rather than stopping right at the base of your home’s foundation.
As long as you keep them far enough away from the foundation, however, runoff should flow away from your home
Remove Debris
Try to get into the habit of cleaning pine straw, leaves, limbs and other debris off your lawn on a regular basis.
Allowing debris such as this to sit only contributes to your yard’s muddy problem. This is because debris harbors moisture while restricting grass and plant growth.
But as long as you remove it from your yard in a timely manner, it shouldn’t pose a problem.
Aerate the Lawn
Aerating your lawn can also help with mud problems. By aerating your lawn, you’ll encourage water to seep into the lawn rather than simply flow over it.
Not only will this protect against erosion and mud, but it also improves the quality of your soil.
Grading
As a last-ditch measure, you could have your lawn graded.
This involves hiring a grading contractor to come and inspect your lawn, after which he or she will use a special grading machine to create a sloping of at least two or three inches every ten feet away from your home.
Grading is really the only permanent solution to deal with erosion and subsequent mud problems.
The Woodsman Company offers tree planting, tree pruning and shrub trimming, tree removal and stump grinding as well as a tree wellness program.
If we can help with any of your tree care needs give us a call at 512-846-2535 or 512-940-0799 or
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