How To Dry Up A Wet Yard Fast? Without Stressing Out!

Yards are that special place in our house where we gather as a family to hang out. So it can be upsetting if you find your lawn has become wet and muddy. Have you ever encountered this problem?

For instance, heavy rain causes flooding. Small water pools have become the breeding ground for mosquitoes. You may also see patches of moss growing on your lawn.

Don’t get stressed out!

The good news is… we have solutions concerning how to dry up a wet yard. With proper treatments, you can get back that beautiful space of yours. 

What’s the Tutorial About?

Does your lawn seem more like a swamp than a lovely garden where you can sit and relax? It looks like you need to get to work. Fixing the soil, re-designing the area, and planting plants that can handle wet soil are few solutions.

Unsuitable plantation, clay soil, and waterproof hardscaping – hinder the water from getting absorbed into the ground. Watch out for heavy downpours!

As this can clog your water system and damage your house. Let’s go through this tutorial to find out how to turn those soggy grounds back into dry lawns. 

Things You’ll Need Are

• Aerator
• Tamper
• Compost
• Spade or shovel
• Topsoil and Sand
• Grass or other absorbent plants
• Landscape paper
• Rototiller
• French drainpipe
• Dry well
• Cistern
• Rain garden plants (optional)

How To Dry Up A Wet Yard Fast – Step By Step Instructions

Step 1: Find What Causes Water Accumulation

Scan your lawn after a rainstorm takes place to see if water accumulates. Look out for water pools that take time to dry out. Check if the issue is specifically restricted to small patches or larger areas.

Typically, water should drain away from drainage outlets. If you see the water moving away from the outlets, the lawn slope has to be adjusted appropriately.

Step 2: Look Out for Leakages or Other Issues

Search the drainage pipes and other water outlets for leaks. Leaking pipes may result in moisture patches near your house. In case you find a leak, turn off the water supply and get the leak fixed.

As for public water pipes, check if the water has any treated chemicals. Water pools may occur if your lawn has clay soil in them.

Step 3: Check the Soil to Find the Level of Absorption

Clay soil absorbs moisture and retains the water content. It then turns into water pools.

You can test the soil by filling a jar with soil and water. Usually, it forms 3 layers: sand, silt, then clay. Based on the proportion you can know if the clay content is more.

If so, fix the soil by mixing sand and compost. You can also use an aerator to loosen up the ground to make it more absorbent.

Step 4: Clear Up Small Water Patches and Level Slopes

Clear the water pools from debris, stones, sticks, plants and even grass. If you wish to save the plants, dig around the plant in a circle. Next, carefully dig till you reach the roots.

Then slowly pry them out from the ground using a spade. Also, eradicate the weeds along with the sources. Are the problematic areas lower than the rest of your lawn?

Then try filling or flattening them using a tamper tool. Fill the low lying areas by moving the soil from the higher regions.

Step 5: Dig Holes and Fill Them With Topsoil And Sand.

By using a spade or other digging tools make a hole around 15 cms deep. Remember to dig the whole problem area. If large areas are wet, use a rototiller to turn up the soil or fix your Drainage system.

Next, choose good quality topsoil that has a correct measure of sand and clay. Combine this mix with the soil found in the hole. If the soil still doesn’t absorb moisture, add on compost and sand to loosen up.

Use a rototiller or spade to mix the soil. Once done, fill up the hole with more soil. 

Step 6: Create a French Drain

A French drain may sound fancy. Well, it’s a perforated pipeline on the ground. To install this, dig a hole around 2 feet wide and line it with landscape paper. Set the pipe inside it and cover it with gravel and topsoil. This pipe helps in removing the extra water away from your lawn.

Step 7: Build A Dry Well to Redirect Rainwater

To construct a dry well, dig a 10 ft long hole near the drain. Fix a dry plastic well into it and line it with landscape paper. Use a PVC pipe to connect the drainage system to the tank. Cover the remaining area with gravel. The tanks store the extra water and prevent your garden from getting wet.

Step 8: Installing A Cistern

A cistern has a similar role to that of a dry well. It is mainly used for redirecting rainwater back into the house.

You can dig a hole and place the tank inside it. Cisterns are usually made of cinder and concrete blocks. You can connect the cistern to your house water system using PVC pipes.

This allows the rainwater collected to reroute to your water system quickly. This method saves you money by using repurposed rainwater. You can use this water for watering plants, doing laundry, and other non-drinking purposes.

Step 9: Grow Water-Absorbing Plants.

If the yard is bare, water-absorbing plants can fix wet areas. Grass and sod seats are great options. If you are planning to fill the lawn with grass, spread the soil with grass seeds, and rake it up.

Do you want something different? Go ahead and plant phlox, ferns, elderberry, violets, and arrowwood. These plants are great choices to dry out the soil. 

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Conclusion

Don’t allow wet yards to stop you from enjoying the fresh air with your family near your house. Whatever be the cause, take immediate action to boost the outlook of your lawn.

No storm will last for long! Soon you can enjoy your cup of tea in the peace of your beautiful garden. If this post has helped you, we would be glad to hear from you.

Also, don’t forget to share this tutorial with your other gardening buddies!