6 Tips for Landscaping a Storm-Proof Yard

Landscaping to Protect Your Property and the Environment

A solid downpour can have damaging consequences for your [client’s] property and the environment, and if you think storms have been worse lately, you’re not imagining it – According to the National Climate Assessment. there’s been adramatic increase in severe rainfall over the past thirty years, meaning less of the steady rain plants love, and more flash floods and hurricanes. With the trend set to continue, homeowners and builders should focus on making landscapes more resilient to extremes. With a few simple landscaping additions, you can mitigate damaging soil erosion and manage stormwater runoff, saving thousands on property damage when the next deluge hits.

Control Storm-water Runoff

Without significant vegetation or porous surfaces to sink into, rain quickly sweeps across yards and streets, carrying pesticides and sediment into the water system. Urban stormwater runoff is the leading contributor of water resource pollution, along with causing residential flooding.  Because of the increasing strain on infrastructure and ecosystems, many cities are now charging homeowners with stormwater runoff fees. Diverting drainage and reducing impervious surface areas significantly lower the utilities bill.  And using more eco-friendly options can lead to an abatement in many municipalities, and alternative options don’t have to be expensive.

1. Swales

Photo by Karen Bussolini via This Old house

At the most basic, a swale is any depression in a landscape, existing or excavated, that redirects water drainage. Maximize their use by lining the lowest point with rocks and adding deep-rooting plants to the slopes, slowing water’s path o the drain.

Because a swale directs flow, rather than stopping it, make sure that it’s channeling to somewhere excess water will be released safely. An area with frequent flooding should be directed into a dry well, or a garden bed with very good drainage and high water tolerance. To avoid utility charges, never have a swale draining straight off a property.

2. Install a rain garden

Image via This Old House

When building  a rain garden, plants with the highest wet-soil tolerance should be placed in the center, since those at the edge will drain fairly quickly while the middle remains submerged. Using native plants is best whenever possible, as they require little to no watering in between rainfall, making a more low-maintenance yard and cutting down on the need for harmful pesticides.

Although similar to swales, rain gardens don’t redirect water. Instead, they provide a place for it to pool during a downpour, allowing it to slowly percolate back into the soil. Most range from 50-100 square feet, and even a small, inexpensive one can significantly reduce flooding and runoff. Low Impact Development has great resources for deciding the size and specifications appropriate for your property.

3. Use heavier mulch

Image via Forgotten Skills

Flooding spreads light mulch chips everywhere, making a pain to clean up and clogging drains. Arborist Gregory Z. “Scott  from Dot Palm Landscaping often sees Florida gardens covered in scattered pine mulch, which he advises against: “It floats away immediately. Most hardwood mulches are heavier. There are some brands made from man-made materials that are low maintenance.”” Save yourself the raking back-ache and stick with the heavy stuff.

4. Divert rain spouts

Image via Downspoutdiverter.net

Don’t forget the smallest changes. A downspout diverter is essential to prevent flooding next to the walls, and to get water out to lower ground.

Replace Impervious Surfaces

Many city runoff fees are calculated based on the area of impervious, or non-porous surface on a property. Lowering that square footage is the most direct way to lower your bill.

5. Install a green roof

Image via Living Roofs Inc

Green roofs are far from a new fad, and are increasingly affordable. If you have a flat or gently sloping0roof, modular units are becoming increasingly popular for their ease of installation.

While people often worry the added load will cause extra-strain, A study by the city of Portland found that green cover actually increases the longevity of the roof. They also found that ecoroofs provided better insulation, reducing heating and cooling costs.

6. Draining driveways

by PLACE Architects

Next to roofs, driveways are the other biggest contributor to storm-water runoff. To mitigate flooding, one could add drainage on the sides of the pavement, but a more effective solution is to ditch the asphalt or concrete pad altogether.

Gravel, spaced paving, and even grass can be used in making a driveway an asset in the rain.

Designing with storm-water in mind will keep your [clients’] wallet, yard, and environment a little greener in the long run. And take some worries out of rainy days.

About the author: Ramin Ghaneeian is co-founder of Lot Plans, a community with thousands of quality pre-drawn Architectural house plans that are ready to build. To contact them about becoming a part of their network of designers, to read more of their educational blog posts, or to search through their library of home plans, visit www.LotPlans.com.