Tired of a muddy yard? Here’s how to stop your lawn from staying wet after rain
A muddy yard isn’t just messy, it can be unsafe, frustrating, and even damaging to your landscaping. Whether you’re constantly tracking mud through the house it struggling to keep your grass healthy, there’s a solution.
Why Yards Get Muddy
Before you can fix a muddy yard, it’s important to understand the cause. Common reasons are:
🔹 Poor Drainage: Water pools in low spots because it can’t flow away properly
🔹 Compacted Soil: Heavy foot traffic or machinery can compress soil, making it hard for water to absorb
🔹 Slope Issues: Water naturally runs downhill. If the yard slopes toward your home, mud is inevitable.
🔹 Improper Landscaping: Certain plants, grass types, or hard scrapes can worsen drainage problems
Step 1: Assess the Problem Areas
Walk your yard after heavy rain to identify the worst spots. Look for:
▪️ Standing water
▪️ Deep ruts or low spots
▪️ Bare patches of grass where mud accumulates
These are the areas that need the most attention
Step 2: Improve Drainage
Proper drainage is key to keeping your yard dry. Solutions include:
▪️ French Drains: Underground pipes that redirect water away from problem areas.
▪️ Grading: re-sloping your yard so water flows away from your home and high traffic areas.
▪️ Swales: Shallow ditches that guide water toward a drainage point or garden.
At Forged Built, we use grading techniques to ensure water floes where it should
Step 3: Aerate and Amend the Soil
Compacted soil prevents water absorption, leading to muddy patches. Fix this by:
▪️Aerating the Lawn: Use a lawn aerator to create small holes in the soil.
▪️Adding Topsoil or Sand: Mix it into compacted areas to improve drainage.
▪️ Grass: This helps grass recover in high-traffic or low spots.
Step 4: Choose the Right Ground Cover
Some areas of your yard may never stay perfectly dry, especially under heavy use. Consider these:
▪️Gravel Paths or Driveways: Perfect for high-traffic zones.
▪️ Mulch or Wood Chips: Great for garden beds or play areas.
▪️Turf Alternatives: Artificial grass or drought-tolerant plants in tricky spots.
Step 5: Maintain Your Yard
Even after drainage and soil improvements, regular maintenance keeps mud at bay:
▪️Keep gutters clean and direct downspouts away from your yard.
▪️Avoid excessive foot traffic on wet grass.
▪️Regrade or add soil as needed to low spots that reappear.
🟢 Bottom Line
A consistently muddy yard isn’t just a nuisance, it’s a sign that your property needs proper drainage, grading, or landscaping adjustments. With the right solutions, you can have a dry, functional, and beautiful outdoor space.
At Forged Built, we know just how to grade your yard the right way!
We are always happy to help!
Free in-person estimates give Levi a call or text
(971) 486-6587
www.forgedbuilt.com
Owner: Levi@forgedbuilt.com
Project Manager: Jj@forgedbuilt.com
Project Manager: Skyler@forgedbuilt.com
