Muddy Spring? Not for Me!

Is your lawn muddy come spring? Does all the melting snow accumulate in grass pits that take all summer to recover from? Is the lake overflowing onto the terrace? Do you almost feel like fishing in the water holes on your lawn? When you walk to your shed, do you feel like that man?

This could be the last year this happens to you if you follow my advice!

PLANT!

Managing spring water is as simple as that.

Soil, a Sponge With Limited Capacity

During thaw, the soil absorbs a great deal of water, which is perfect: plants are very thirsty! All the roots that draw water from the soil dry it out, leaving it to absorb more water. But when there aren’t enough plants to “drain” water from the soil, you can imagine that all that liquid can’t just magically disappear. Soil is like a sponge, not a bathtub drain!

The beauty is that some plants blend into the lawn and do a great job of drying it out. Think of dandelions: aren’t their roots deep enough for your taste? Clover, oxalis, ivy… these are all plants that stay low, can fit under the mower, and yet will make all the difference in the spring!

A Not-So-Effective Solution…

I recently saw a video of a man spreading sand on his lawn, then smoothing it out to even out the ground. The lawn grows through the sand, the depression is gone and there’s no need for peat moss: magic! Yes, the depression is gone, but that doesn’t solve the problem: the water will still collect elsewhere, the sand will eventually run off and the whole thing will have to be started all over again. It’s like repairing a leak with duct tape: yes, it’ll work, but only for a while!

Instead of working against nature, play a trick on it: fight nature with nature.

If your problem isn’t in your lawn, you should know that there are a wide variety of perennials, bushes and trees that love moist soil: plant them where water tends to accumulate (or nearby) and I promise you that in a few years, when a beautiful net of roots has settled into your soil, you’ll have forgotten about that flooding problem. What’s more, you’ll have a pretty, low-maintenance flowerbed or majestic tree!

How and What to Plant

I strongly suggest native plants: their roots are generally long and deep, and other species will benefit from them. What’s more, these are plants that are adapted to our climate, so no extra maintenance for the laidback gardener.

Ideally, you shouldn’t plant when your trough is full of water. Firstly, because working in mud is not a good idea, but also to avoid drowning your seedling. Yes, we’re aiming for species that like wet soils, but give them a chance to settle in a little, solidify their roots and get used to their new soil.

To inspire you, here are a few Quebec species (you’ll find local equivalents if you’re from elsewhere) that like damp, even periodically flooded soil.

Willow (Salix sp.)

There are several types of willow: some are bushier, others gigantic! If you choose the “classic” tree, plant it away from your house, artesian well or septic tank. Willow roots penetrate deep and wide into the earth to get water where it’s needed. It will absorb a great deal of liquid, so it may be a little overkill if you only have a small puddle in your lawn. It’s ideal if you have a river or lake though! The roots also act as an underground safety net, preventing soil from running off or eroding into watercourses.

My little girl’s dream is to have a gigantic willow tree at home, under which I’d have a quiet corner with a swing. But well… my land is on a slope and, under the soil, there’s nothing but rock: the water runs off it like a waterfall! So much for the willow…

Viburnums (Viburnum sp.)

I mentioned them not long ago: lots of sunshine and moist soil, plus birds with this shrub! It’s ideal for roadside ravines. You know those gaps along country lanes that are usually full of pretty wildflowers because the mower doesn’t turn up? It’s a great habitat for shrubs like viburnums.

Serviceberry (Amelanchier canadensis)

Another berry-bearing shrub that likes moist soil. Its fruit is delicious on its own or cooked, but birds love it too, so if after a few years your soil has finally dried out enough for you to approach it without your bathing suit on, consider putting a net over your saskatoon tree so you can harvest your berries… or not! Enjoying birdsong is good too!

Echinacea sp. (Echinacea sp.)

Native to our region, this plant with its pretty, colorful flowers is easy to find in garden centers. Popular with insects and easy to care for, it can even withstand drought.

If you’re “a witch”, as my partner calls me, you should know that echinacea is used in traditional medicine to treat the symptoms of colds and sinusitis, and many other things.

If you’re into style, rudbeckies (Rudbeckia sp.) are also flood allies.

Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata)

There are several types of milkweed, and this one loves having its feet in the water! If you love hummingbirds, native bees and monarchs, this is the plant to put in your home. Like all milkweeds, it’s toxic, but less so than common milkweed. As it produces many seeds, it reseeds itself to make pretty clumps.

Want more suggestions? Check out these two articles by Larry Hogdson on the subject: Soggier Than Thou: Plants That Tolerate Wet Soil et Flood-Tolerant Trees.

Now you know the secret to a pleasant, relatively dry spring! Well, if you like your watering holes, suit yourself!