Poor lawn drainage is usually noticeable after a recent rainfall or routine irrigation practice when puddles of water are found over the soil. Slow-draining soils hold water for prolonged periods of time, keeping plant roots wet for so long that they cannot absorb oxygen essential for growth. This weakens the structure of plants, increasing their chances of contracting fungal diseases or root rot, and kills them in severe cases. Amend the soil so your lawn grows and develops into a lush, green and healthy personal haven.
Instructions
1. Remove all vegetation from low spots in your yard and break up clay soil to improve drainage throughout the lawn and prevent future problems. Spread 4 inches of compost over the area and till well. Spread 4 inches of coarse builder's sand over the amended area. The alkalinity in the soil increases over time as the compost decomposes. Test the soil pH level after a few months to determine whether it's in the healthy range.
2. Remove cores of soil with a core aerator to provide water an inlet through the soil. Because the molecules of compacted soils are closely bound, they resist penetration and cause water to accumulate instead of passing through. Removing plugs of soil provides a passage for the water and puts an end to drainage problems.
3. Install a dry well over poorly draining areas of your lawn. A dry well is a structure that collects accumulated water and releases it slowly. Dig a trench over the area in your lawn where the water pools and spread pieces of stone, bricks or concrete over its base. The water seeps through into the well before it is slowly absorbed into the surrounding soil.
4. Till the soil in your lawn to a depth of 8 inches and add organic matter such as grass clippings, sawdust, gypsum, compost, straw or manure to improve its composition so it drains better. Combine well so the amendment mixes well with the original soil.
5. Build a drainage system or a French drain over the poorly draining area as a permanent solution. The drain is composed of a perforated pipe that directs the flow of water from one part of the lawn to another. To install the drain, begin digging an 8-inch-deep and 6-inch-wide trench over the area in your lawn where water collects, extending it all the way through to the area where you want to release excess water. Slope the trench by 2 inches after every 10 feet. Spread a 2-inch-thick layer of gravel over the base of the trench before laying a 4- to 5-inch-wide perforated pipe over it. Spread fabric over the pipe to keep the holes from clogging before covering it with soil.
Related posts
Improve soil drainage to prevent water from pooling on your lawn.When nurturing lawn grass in the hopes of it turning lush, green and healthy, nothing is more nerve wracking than finding puddles o...
A healthy lawn requires good water drainage.Good water drainage is vital for lawn and garden health. Plants in areas with poor drainage may have trouble growing, may develop root rot and other roo...
Poor yard drainage usually becomes noticeable after a large rainstorm and you realize you have a lake in your backyard or water pooling near the foundation of your house. Water pooling around the...
There are ways of keeping a lawn free of standing water.If you allow water to stand on your lawn, you can wind up with areas with no grass or areas infected by fungal diseases. Dig several holes 6...
Beer, as part of a tonic, can help treat a failing lawn.As strange as it may sound, using beer may actually help improve the quality of your lawn. However, beer alone is not a good supplement for...
