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Water Logged?
Protect Your Landscape During the Rainy Season.
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Northeast Florida's rainy season brings its fair share of challenges for homeowners. From water intrusion and standing water to erosion and fungal diseases, excessive moisture can quickly turn your yard into a swampy mess. Fortunately, there are practical ways to manage these issues and keep your yard in top shape. | |
One of the most common problems during the rainy season is poor drainage. Without proper water management, heavy rainfall can lead to water pooling in low spots, soil erosion, and even damage to your home’s foundation. Here are some solutions that can help mitigate drainage issues: | |
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Gravity Drainage: This method uses your yard's natural slope to move water from problem areas to a lower point where it can flow away. By installing pipes and ensuring proper elevation, gravity does the work of draining water from your property.
| French Drains: A French drain is a trench filled with gravel and a perforated pipe that redirects surface water away from your yard. It’s an effective solution for dealing with runoff and soggy patches, especially in areas prone to flooding. | |  |
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Channel Drains: Channel drains are a great way to prevent water from accumulating in hardscaped areas like driveways, patios, and pool decks. They collect water and move it away from outdoor living spaces, keeping them safe and dry.
Swales and Cisterns: In some cases, properties may need on-site water retention, especially in areas with sandy soil or near sensitive ecosystems. Swales—shallow ditches that follow the contour of the land—can help manage water flow. Cisterns or underground water retention systems can store excess water for future use or allow it to percolate slowly into the soil.
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If you are experiencing standing water or erosion,
click here to learn more or request a drainage consultation.
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Other Things to Consider in the Rainy Season. | |
Massive Waterfall Installation Project: Part Two | |
Join us for the grand finale of one of our most ambitious projects to date—a massive water feature installation that took over two months to complete. In this video, we’ll take you through the final details, including the installation of the last few boulders and the unique features that make this water feature truly one-of-a-kind. | |
Fall Flair for Your Florida Garden! | |
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Fall officially arrives September 22nd, and even though the temperatures are still high, you can capture the essence of autumn with this container garden recipe, "Rustic Autumn Hues." This Florida-friendly combination of warm-toned plants brings the cozy, rustic charm of fall into your garden. It features the bold, colorful foliage of Croton Mammy, along with shades of orange, purple, and yellow. Perfect for your porch or patio, "Rustic Autumn Hues" will evoke the spirit of fall, even in the Florida heat.
1. Croton Mammy is known for its striking, multi-colored foliage with shades of red, orange, yellow, and green. This bold thriller is perfect for adding height and vibrant fall colors to your container garden, thriving in full to partial sun.
2. Alternanthera is a versatile plant with deep purple or burgundy foliage, adding a rich and moody contrast to the brighter colors in the arrangement. It thrives in the Florida heat and is perfect for both sun and shade conditions.
3. Cuphea David Verity is a heat-loving plant with fiery orange tubular flowers that attract hummingbirds and pollinators. Its long-lasting blooms and fall-inspired color make it a perfect filler for the autumn season.
4. Creeping Jenny adds a soft, cascading element to the container with its small, round, chartreuse leaves. This spiller thrives in partial shade and moist soil, providing a lush, flowing accent that enhances the rustic, fall aesthetic.
5. Marigolds are classic fall bloomers, known for their bright orange and yellow flowers that bring a cheerful touch to any garden. In addition to their beauty, they are hardy, heat-tolerant, and help repel pests, making them a great choice for Florida gardens.
"Rustic Autumn Hues" offers a beautiful way to welcome the season while using hardy plants that can withstand Florida's warm September weather, ensuring a vibrant and lasting display.
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Common Lawn Fungi in Northeast Florida | | |
Rainy weather and excessive moisture create the perfect breeding ground for fungal diseases, which can wreak havoc on your lawn. In Northeast Florida, several types of fungi are particularly common during the rainy season: | |
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Brown Patch: This fungal disease thrives in warm, wet conditions and often appears as circular patches of brown, dead grass. It’s especially prevalent in St. Augustine and Zoysia lawns, two of the most common grass types in the region. Brown patch fungus can spread quickly if left untreated, turning your lush lawn into a patchwork of dead spots.
Gray Leaf Spot: This fungus affects the blades of grass, causing small, grayish-brown lesions that eventually lead to blighted areas. It’s another problem that affects St. Augustine grass, particularly during extended periods of rain and humidity.
| Dollar Spot: Named for the small, silver-dollar-sized patches it creates, this fungus is another common problem for Florida lawns. It can spread in warm, humid weather, especially when the lawn is stressed from excessive moisture or nutrient deficiencies. | | |
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Tips for Preventing Lawn Fungus
To minimize the risk of fungal infections in your lawn, consider the following tips:
Improve Drainage: Ensure your yard has proper drainage to prevent water from pooling in low spots. Excess moisture is the number one cause of fungal growth, so managing water flow is critical.
Water Wisely: Overwatering can be just as harmful as heavy rain. Water your lawn in the early morning, allowing time for the grass to dry out during the day.
Mow Regularly: Keep your lawn at an appropriate height to promote air circulation and prevent excessive moisture from sitting on the grass blades. However, cutting the grass too short can stress it and make it more susceptible to fungi.
Fertilize Appropriately: Use the right fertilizer to maintain healthy, resilient grass. Avoid over-fertilizing, as excess nitrogen can encourage fungal growth.
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Managing the effects of the rainy season can be challenging, but with the right strategies in place, you can protect your landscape from excessive moisture, fungal diseases, and the potential damage they bring. By staying proactive, you’ll ensure that your yard thrives, rain or shine.
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Can Excessive Rain Effect the PH in Your Pond? | |
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Yes, a large amount of rain can significantly affect the pH balance in your pond. Rainwater is usually slightly acidic, meaning heavy rainfall can lower the pH level of your pond water, potentially harming aquatic life; therefore, it's important to monitor your pond's pH levels after heavy rain periods and adjust as needed.
Key points about rain and pond pH:
Slightly acidic rain: Even clean rainwater has a slightly acidic pH (around 5.6) due to carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, which can lower the pH of your pond when it rains heavily.
Acid rain concerns: In polluted areas, rainwater can be even more acidic due to pollutants like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, further impacting pond pH.
Monitoring is key: After heavy rainfall, always test your pond water to check the pH level and adjust if necessary to maintain a stable pH range suitable for your aquatic life.
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Just Arrived — New Shipment of Statuary
Frogs, Bunnies, Kitties and more!
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Garden Center Hours
Monday through Saturday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm / Sunday 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
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We would like to thank you all for your continued support! | |
Earth Works Gardens | earthworksjax.com |996-0712 | 12501 Beach Blvd. | | | | |
