Landscape Designs to Improve Drainage

Adding nutrients to your landscape is the primary way to stimulate growth in any of your green materials. One of those nutrients that is more necessary than any other, is water. You may have an irrigation system installed, or rely on natural rainfall. Either way, you rely on water to feed your plant material and keep your turf green. Rainfall is often a sight for sore eyes, knowing that your landscape is being fed by mother nature. However, too much water in your landscape can be a bad thing. Too much moisture can create a ripe environment for disease, and soften up your landscape leaving it susceptible to damage. Our favorite way to prevent this issue is to integrate water management best practices into your day-to-day landscaping activities to improve drainage. For the health of your lawn, here are some ways to improve drainage in your landscape designs.

Avoid Installation that Blocks Runoff

It is very possible that your lawn already possesses a natural slope that pushes excess water in a particular direction. One of the most common problems people face is actually self-imposed. Many property owners will make an installation that impedes this natural path, which causes water to pool up and flood your lawn. Natural runoff is how most water will exit your landscape, so blocking off the path adds to the issue. The only way to avoid blocking these routes is to be aware of them, so a quick inspection of your property to note these locations will suffice.

Install Raised Pavers to Improve Drainage

Another way in which excess water can cause damage to your landscape is by pooling on top of your hardscapes. This can become a direct route into your structure, potentially damaging your home or building. If left sitting it can also cause cracks and blemishes to your beautiful hardscapes, as runoff water is not exactly pure. Raising your hardscapes above the surface of your lawn keeps the issues in your green areas, where they are more easily dealt with using drainage solutions.

Basins, Trenches, and Other Drainage Additions

One solution to excess water and erosion is catching runoff. There are a few options for this that vary by investment. Storage wells below the grade of your lawn can catch runoff, which can then be dumped or used in your landscape. Basins can be installed in the uppermost part of your property, catching water before it even makes its way downhill. Underground trenches can also be used to push water outside your property, without hurting the aesthetic appeal of your landscape.

Consider a Rain Garden

If there is one spot in your yard that is consistently flooding, or where all runoff releases, use this to your advantage. Build a landscape installation around this area, full of beautiful plant material that can use the water as a nutrient. The more green material present to soak up runoff, the less the chance of flooding. Some sort of central pond can also act as a basin while being landscaped around and appearing as a beautifully designed piece of your landscape. Our team at OakLawn is more than capable of assisting you in optimizing the drainage of your property.

 

Your landscaping is the first thing noticed by your visitors, friends, and customers. Let OakLawn Landscaping ensure that your first impressions are top notch and have your guests in awe before they even reach the door. Visit our website, or contact us today at (301) 854-0684 for any of your landscaping needs, commercial or residential.