Coastal North Carolina’s residents are no strangers to a downpour. Between summer thunderstorms, hurricane season, and long winter rains, it’s hard to catch a break. Correspondingly, we all know too well what all the rain does to our yards. Puddles that linger for days, tire tracks in yards from mowers, soil that washes into the driveway – these are all pesky signs that there has been plenty of rain to nourish the yard, but nowhere for the rainwater to go. These puddles, called standing water, can kill grass and plants, foster mosquito infestations, and encourage disease. During the winter, standing water will compact the soil and restrict root growth. By the next spring, we are left with stunted, stressed, plants and soggy soil. The good news: There are plenty of ways to address water drainage problems, with gravel and river rock being two of the most affordable and stylish tools for the job.
Gravel and/or river rock offer a relatively inexpensive and stylish solution to manage a property’s drainage. Both are non-invasive, so there isn’t much digging involved. Gravel and river rock sit on top of the ground, using their weight to keep themselves in place during storms and slowing down the incoming water. The rocks are also able to protect the root systems hidden underneath the soil. The differently-shaped stones slowly guide the water in various directions, preventing it from saturating and pooling in one spot and allowing water to move away from your garden or grass. Incorporating at least one of these two tools is a sure way to prevent soggy soil, washout, erosion, and other various side effects of drainage issues after a hard rain.
Because river rock and gravel are a surface solution, meaning that this sort of drainage system manages water at or near the surface, rather than underground, the rocks sit on top of the soil and are visible. If arranged correctly, river rock and gravel are able to naturally blend into any landscape. They are customizable, provide a natural look, and they add texture and contrast against grass, mulch, and hardscapes. Many homeowners choose to place rock and gravel around trees that they don’t wish to take in as much water, combining their use as a decorative border and drainage solution.
The next time you find yourself strolling outside, take a look at the plants and grass around you and you may notice something you missed before, like a small puddle that lingers or a tree with its trunk surrounded by small rock. We can see drainage issues and all of its solutions all around us. Now it’s time for you to take the first step towards a solution for your drainage – call Wilmington Landscapes.