Standing water is a common problem faced by many homeowners in Bowie, MD. It not only ruins the visual appeal of the lawn but also poses a serious threat to the environment and the health of your family. Prolonged standing water can become a breeding ground for mosquitoes, which can carry diseases. Fortunately, there are several simple solutions to prevent standing water in your yard.

In this blog post, we will share twelve tips to help you keep your lawn safe from standing water and maintain its beauty all year round.

-Grade Your Yard: One of the primary reasons for standing water is poor yard grading. It occurs when the soil in your lawn is not sloped enough, and water has no route to drain away. To prevent standing water in your lawn, make sure that the yard is appropriately graded. Hire a professional landscaper to evaluate and amend your lawn’s grading.

-Install Drainage Systems: Installing a drainage system can be expensive but effective. A professional can help you identify the perfect drainage system for your yard, depending on the size and scope of the standing water problem.

-Use a Sump Pump: A sump pump is an excellent option where you want to pump excess water collecting in the basement, crawl space or areas where standing water is a problem. Sump pump installation can help mitigate this issue.

-Create a Rain Garden: Creating a rain garden is an eco-friendly option. It will add beauty to your lawn, cut down soil erosion, and stop standing water in your yard. For better results, consult an expert in sustainable and environmental landscaping that knows how to build a rain garden.

-Add Landscape Plants: Planting trees, shrubs or flowers that can absorb and hold water will help to control the water flow in your yard. Some good examples include native Missouri wildflowers, black-eyed Susans, BlueStar’s, Virginia sweet spires and switchgrass.

-Use Mulch: Mulching around plants can help hold soil in place and limit erosion. Mulch is a healthier treatment than excess fertilizer, which can feed pathogens, is more chemical resistant, slows water down, and will also suppress weeds, which can compete for water and nutrients.

-Rain Barrels: Rain barrels collect and store water from runoff; this source can then be used for gardening and lawn irrigation. It is an eco-friendly solution and is also a cost-effective solution.

-Fix or Eliminate Sprinklers: When the sprinklers spray too much water in one area, standing water can occur in your lawn. To combat this, you can adjust the sprinklers to avoid watering over the same area, or have a professional identify and fix any broken sprinklers that may be the issue.

-Build French Drains: French drains are trenches dug into the surface of the ground and packed with stones that run-away water collects, filtered, and moves downstream. This DIY approaches a wonderful way to redirect water from your property easily.

-Be Mindful of Potted Plants: It is essential to keep potted plants off the grass. When left on the lawn, the water from this pot can collect in the bases and create standing water in your lawn.

-Reduce Concrete Surfaces: Concrete surfaces contribute to runoff water and standing water accumulation. Consider replacing your concrete pavements and walkways with bricks or natural stones that allow water to drain efficiently.

-Know When to Call in the Professionals: While there are many things you can do to manage standing water issues on your lawn, you may need to call in professionals to oversee the more complicated issues. A professional can help identify the source of the problem and recommend the most appropriate solution that meets your lawn’s particular needs.

Conclusion:

Eliminating standing water in your Bowie, MD, yard, or lawn requires attentiveness to the grading of the land, identification of the problem area and planning for the right fix that meets your lawn’s specific needs. With our top twelve tips on how to resolve the standing water issues, you can find inexpensive and productive solutions to ensure that your lawn is healthy and vibrant. Act today and give your yard the love and care it deserves!