When a Central Florida lawn suffers from poor drainage, the rainy season can turn it into a swampy mess of dead grass, fungal growth, and mosquito larvae. If this sounds like your lawn, we have some solutions to dry up your grass and get it green again.
Enjoy a Healthy Lawn By Solving Drainage Problems
The following fixes will help your lawn drain properly, so you won’t feel like you’re living in the heart of the Everglades.
Identify Problem Areas
Take a walk around your lawn after a heavy rain and take note of where water is pooling and soil is soggy. These are the areas that require better drainage.
Aerate the Soil
Aerating the lawn involves creating small holes in the soil to allow air, water, and nutrients to penetrate deeper into the root zone. You can rent an aerator or hire a professional lawn service to do this for you.
Avoid Overwatering
Be mindful of your watering practices. Overwatering can lead to waterlogging and exacerbate drainage problems. Water your lawn deeply but less frequently to encourage deeper root growth and inhibit fungal growth that can kill grass.
Remember to perform a maintenance check on your irrigation system every so often to ensure it’s working properly. If you’re not sure your system is running like it should, call us or complete our request service form and we’ll come take a look.
Level Your Lawn and Add Organic Matter
If you notice any low spots where water collects, consider filling them in with topsoil to create a more even surface. This prevents water from pooling in those areas. You can also mix organic matter like compost into the soil to help improve drainage by breaking up compacted soil and promoting better water infiltration. To accomplish this, spread a layer of compost over your lawn, then rake it into the grass. Be sure to target areas with poor drainage.
Install a French Drain
Invented by Henry Flagg French, a French drain is a trench filled with gravel and lined with a perforated pipe that redirects excess water away from the problem areas. To install a French drain, dig a trench in the affected area, line it with landscape fabric, then place the pipe with holes facing down. To finish the project, cover it with gravel.
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA
Install a Rain Garden
If you have a consistently wet area, consider creating a rain garden with plants that thrive in moist conditions. To understand the concept of a rain garden, it’s a planted depression designed to collect and absorb rainwater runoff, so it can percolate into the soil gradually.
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA
Say Good-Bye to Brown Grass and Mosquito Infestation
Every Central Florida homeowner should be concerned about their lawn’s drainage. In addition to water logged grass and fungal growth, allowing puddles to remain in your yard is inviting disease carrying mosquitos to live and breed. By solving your lawn’s drainage issues, you’re saving money by not having to replace grass and you’re protecting your family’s health as well as your neighbors’ wellbeing.
Remember to keep your Central Florida garden and landscape properly watered. If you ever need assistance with sprinkler repair or irrigation in the Orlando area, we’re here to help!