How to Improve Yard Drainage

When you look through garden catalogs, it seems like almost every plant out there requires well-drained soil. But what do you do if your soil is heavy, compacted clay that fills with puddles during wet weather? Improving the soil drainage in your yard takes time, but it's well worth the effort. You'll have access to a wider variety of garden plants, and you'll also help control erosion on your property.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Compost
• Topsoil
• Mulch
• Garden fork or rototiller
• Core aerator
• Rain garden plants
• Pebbles or gravel

1. Assess your yard to determine the cause for the poor drainage. Do you have heavy clay soil, or soil that endures a lot of traffic and is densely compacted? Do you have low-lying areas in your yard with no place for the water to drain off to? Different problems require different solutions.

2. Amend clay or compacted soils with compost and/or topsoil. Compost and topsoil can be purchased in 50-lb. bags at most garden centers, or you can arrange for a bulk delivery for larger projects. Turn the compost and/or topsoil into the existing soil using a garden fork or rototiller.

3. Apply mulch, such as leaves, straw or wood chips, to any new or existing flower or vegetable garden beds every year. Not only does this help keep down weeds, but as the organic matter decomposes it will improve soil texture and drainage. Mulching also increases the fertility of the soil.

4. Core aerate lawn areas with poor drainage. A core aerator essentially removes plugs of soil and allows water to drain deeper into the surface of the earth. You should core aerate your lawn in the fall and apply a thin layer of compost every spring.

5. Adjust the slope of your land. If there are depressions in your property, fill them with a mix of topsoil, compost and mulch. Tilling or aerating the existing soil before filling the depression might also help. Always make sure the earth slopes away from any buildings to prevent foundation decay or basement flooding.

6. Plant a rain garden in problem areas. A rain garden consists of plants that can tolerate extremes of very wet and very dry soil. Choose native plants with strong root systems to break through heavy or compacted soil and improve drainage over time. Ask your local garden center for plant recommendations for your area.

7. Consider installing a French drain. A French drain is essentially a ditch filled with pebbles or gravel that helps direct water from one place to another. To install a French drain, you must have some place to drain the water to, such as a pond, stream or other waterway. A French drain is merely a temporary solution which does not actually improve soil quality, and improperly installed French drains can actually worsen drainage problems.

References

• Poor Drainage in Yard is Easy to Fix
• The Importance of Good Lawn Drainage

Resources

• Wild Ones: Native Plants, Natural Landscapes