7 Foolproof Ways to Flood-Proof Your Landscape

April showers are supposed to bring May flowers, not floods! Have you had trouble with flooding in your landscape during the rainy season? If so, it’s time to make some necessary changes to flood-proof your yard and garden. Whether you need a quick fix or a major landscape overhaul, there are several options you can explore to prevent significant damage from heavy rain. 

 

How Do I Stop My Landscape from Flooding? 

There are plenty of ways to prevent backyard flooding, from plant selection to structural changes in the landscape and simple add-ons that make a big difference. Try these seven foolproof methods to flood-proof your landscape. They could potentially save your lawn—and your basement—from catastrophic water damage.

how to flood-proof your landscape Mother Nature Powell river

Plant Grass Varieties That Love Lots of Water

Some grasses are more drought-tolerant, while other varieties prefer plenty of water and will happily soak it up. They’re more resistant to flood damage because their roots soak up so much moisture. Visit our greenhouse and ask us about our available varieties with high moisture tolerance!

Remember to dethatch and aerate your lawn every spring and fall to help improve soil drainage and prevent water from pooling! Avoid walking on the grass when it’s wet, which can worsen soil compaction.

 

Don’t Cut Your Grass Too Short

If your grass is too short, the roots won’t spread properly, so it won’t be able to soak up as much moisture. Cut it to around 2.5-3 inches high—any shorter than that, and your grass and soil will suffer. 

 

Add Rain Barrels to Downspouts

The downspouts from your gutters can send a high volume of water rushing into your lawn. If you collect that water in rain barrels, you’ll prevent it from oversaturating the terrain; plus, you can save the rainwater in the barrels for later when you need to water the garden! Just make sure you clean out the barrels with bleach or vinegar every couple of months to prevent bacteria from developing.

how to flood-proof your landscape Mother Nature Powell river

Plant Native Species

Native plants are hardy and resilient and have adapted to live in our rainy climate. Planting lots of native wildflowers will help stabilize the terrain, and their roots will pull excess moisture from the soil. Ferns, shrubs, and small trees are also tolerant of moist conditions, and their extensive root systems will work wonders in a landscape prone to flooding. 

 

Spread Hardwood Mulch

A heavy mulch will help prevent your soil from sloshing around and making a big mess. It stabilizes terrain, and it makes your garden look prettier! Look for bark or wood mulches and avoid lightweight materials like pine needle mulch. Lightweight mulch will make a bigger mess as the rainwater carries it across the landscape. 

how to flood-proof your landscape Mother Nature Powell river

Switch from a Paved Driveway to Gravel

Paved driveways look nice and all, but all that rainwater will run off and go directly into your lawn. By switching to gravel, or pavers with space in between, the moisture will soak into that space instead of getting funnelled to other areas of the landscape.

 

Level Slopes and Add Retaining Walls

If your landscape slopes toward your home, that’s a major no-no. All that water will rush towards your home’s foundation and could cause significant flooding and property damage. Hiring landscapers to level out the terrain will make a world of difference! Retaining walls can also help to provide structural support if you have issues with mudslides and landscape instability.

Ready to flood-proof your landscape in 2022? Mother Nature has plenty of native plants, hardwood mulch, tools for soil aeration, and other supplies to protect your landscape during Powell River’s rainy season. Visit us soon to get prepared before the storms roll in!