Wet and soggy yard

Louhi – posted 25 January 2010 11:33

My backyard is always soaked!. It stays wet. It gets muddy. I noticed there is a lot of moss growing with the grass. The yard gets mostly shade throughout the summer. The yard slopes away from the house but the water will not drain away. How can I get rid of the water?

cohiba – posted 25 January 2010 15:48

The moss is more about lack of air movement, shade, and heavier soils. The wetness is also about heavier soils. Is there a place for the water to go beyond your property. Can you swale the water away, off your property onto another area? Have you considered a water garden instead of turf? Try taking a soil sample and testing for high Magnesium. Adding gypsum to these soils will help with internal drainage.

Louhi – posted 26 January 2010 13:51

Thanks fro your help! The drainage wsale was blocked by debris…leaves and weeds and grass clippings. I cleared it our wuth th hope the improved drainage in the swale will wick away the rest of the water.

quote:Originally posted by cohiba:The moss is more about lack of air movement, shade, and heavier soils. The wetness is also about heavier soils. Is there a place for the water to go beyond your property. Can you swale the water away, off your property onto another area? Have you considered a water garden instead of turf? Try taking a soil sample and testing for high Magnesium. Adding gypsum to these soils will help with internal drainage.

cohiba – posted 28 January 2010 09:20

It would still be advisable to get a soil test and learn more about soil classifications. Sand, silt, clay, loam ect. will help you understand internal drainage. Good Luck.