Backyard Conversation
Connecting Community + Conservation
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Welcome to the Backyard Conversation! Each month we'll be sharing a conservation topic from a more personal viewpoint for our readers. To make this successful, I want to hear feedback from you! I'll include a poll at the bottom regarding our topic and share links to some of our partner organizations with similar messages. So, let's get to it! |
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Spring Showers Bring Flooding, Wet Backyards & Seasonal Wetlands |
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Hey Franklin County, spring is almost here, and Daylight Savings, but we won't talk about that...
Is your yard looking like this - flooded, swampy, muddy? Spring rain and winter snowmelt often results in flooding, standing water, and wet or muddy yards. Simply put, the ground is just too saturated and cannot drain water fast enough to keep up.
The Science Behind Flooding & Wet Backyards
Some areas in Franklin County have clay-heavy poorly draining soils, and about 85% of the land in Ohio is affected by a seasonally high water table. Newer subdivision lots, especially those outside Interstate 270, generally do not have quality topsoil left after grading and construction. Instead, homeowners find themselves with heavy, hard subsoil as a poor foundation for grass establishment and other plantings that help slow and filter runoff. Your property and landscaping modifications that include additions, mature shrubs, or soil movement tend to change drainage patterns too, often directing water to foundation walls. Finally, those living near streams or ravines may clear plants and trees for an unobstructed view or easy access, but this threatens property and water quality with erosion, and intensifies runoff. Less trees result in less water removed from soil through the process of evaporation, which can lead to more flooding.
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Flooding & Wet Backyards Solutions
These are a few solutions to help reduce flooding and wet spots in your yard.
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Check your downspouts. Clean downspouts at least once a year, monitor for overflow or pooling water, and ensure the discharge point (including sump pump) is at least 3-4’ away from your foundation. Your runoff should not be a nuisance to your neighbors, or empty onto a sidewalk where ice forms in winter.
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Take care of your soil. Aeration, soil amendment, grass-cycling, and mulching fall leaves on lawns help build up oxygen-rich organic matter over time that retains more water and supports deep plant roots.
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Plant native, water-tolerant plants. Encouraging water-tolerant plants or planting a rain garden can sometimes be a resolution for periodic wet spots. Don't install a rain garden where it's perpetually wet though; that would be more appropriate as a wetland and planted with wetland plants. With a rain garden, you want the water to drain within 24-48 hours.
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Route roof runoff away from your foundation. Always ensure a positive grade away from your house’s foundation, and practice stream stewardship where appropriate. Better yet, capture some of that roof runoff with a rain barrel to water your garden during dry spells.
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Consider Ohio Drainage Laws. Water should enter and leave your property where it did prior to any construction activities. Changing the flow of water in a manner that causes damage to an upstream or downstream neighbor may result in legal liabilities.
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Climate change is changing our precipitation. Many long-time residents become concerned when observing standing water in areas where it had not pooled in the past. The last decade has been our wettest on record, and Ohio’s springs continue to be warmer and wetter than average, with winters warming twice as fast as summers. With less ice and snowpack to retain water longer, runoff is immediate. However, Ohio still suffers drought. In 2019, 80 percent of Ohio was severely dry with the hottest September on record.
If you need drainage assistance, Franklin Soil and Water can help by providing:
- Soils information and general drainage review.
- A contractor list.
- A rain garden plant list and technical guidance.
- Advise of eligibility for rebate or grant programs.
To inquire about drainage help, please call our office during business hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm, or email us anytime. Due to the number of requests we get this time of year, please kindly allow 24-48 hours for a response.
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Franklin Soil & Water's Annual Spring Tree & Plant Sale
Time to order is almost up! The last day to order is Sunday March 24, but we might sell out before then. These are 3 plants we have for sale that are tolerant of wet backyards or moist soils.
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Buttonbush (Live Stakes)
Shrub typically reaching 6-12 feet tall and wide that is easily grown in sometimes or frequently wet areas. Great for rain gardens, wet areas, and streambank stabilization.
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Pussy Willow (Live Stakes)
A small, fast-growing, multi-branched tree that grows 6-20' tall. Does best in moist to wet conditions. Can adapt to a garden but does not tolerate drought. Excellent rain garden plant!
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Sweet Birch (Bareroot)
Medium-sized tree reaching 40-55' that does best in moist, deep, rich soil, but tolerates heavy soils. Golden yellow fall color. Shiny, reddish bark similar to black cherry.
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Community Backyards Columbus Business Rebates
Attention City of Columbus businesses, organizations and nonprofits. We have a new rebate program this year for green infrastructure and stormwater runoff reduction projects within the City of Columbus implemented by businesses and organizations.
Eligible projects include green infrastructure such as rain gardens, native perennial or tree plantings, rain barrels, rainwater collection and reuse, and more. Applications will be accepted March 1 - March 31. If awarded, projects must be implemented in 2024. Learn more below.
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Upcoming Events
We are looking forward to another busy spring. Check out some upcoming events from the District and our partners!
Saturday March 9, 9am-12pm, Starting @ Goodale Park Shelterhouse
Saturday March 16, 10am-12pm @ Godown Park
Sunday March 17, 2pm-4pm @ The Griswold Center
Sunday March 24 is the last day to place an order!
Thursday March 28, 6pm-8pm @ Franklin Soil & Water's Office
Sunday March 31 @ 11:59pm online
Wednesday April 3, 6:30pm-8:00pm, @ Dublin Rec Center
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Yardening Tips from Lonnie the Garden Gnome
Consider these March "yardening" tips.
- Spring ephemeral wildflowers are popping up. Did you know White Trillium is our official state wildlfower? Another Ohio native spring plant, Skunk Cabbage, is a staff favorite.
- Don't prune flowers and stems until temperatures are consistently 50 degrees. Beneficial or endangered insects may still be resting in your garden and inside the stems of plants when it is below 50 degrees. Wait until temperatures are above 50 degrees for about a week to allow the beneficial critters time to wake up from their winter slumber and move out for the spring.
- Place your Franklin Soil & Water tree sale order before the deadline of March 24. Items are limited quantity and selling fast, so you best get to buying!
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Does your neighborhood flood in the spring?
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Get the Scoop from Nature Scoop
Want to learn more about backyard conservation, pollinators, and more? Read the latest edition of the monthly newsletter Nature Scoop by Toni Stahl, National Wildlife Federation Habitat Ambassador.
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Mikaela Mohr
Outreach Program Specialist
Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District
1404 Goodale Blvd. Suite 100, Columbus, OH 43212
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