Prevent Flooding with the Right Plants + Natural Systems
You may have heard that mangroves have a clear purpose for where they are situated on our shorelines. A study finds that mangroves significantly reduce annual and catastrophic damages and are a strong first line of defense for coastal communities to protect residences against storm surges or flooding.
More and more coastal communities and tropical climates are experiencing higher frequencies of flooding.
Did you know there are other ways to help with flooding around your home?; Such as:
Redirecting Rainwater Techniques
In areas where water pools after a rainstorm, you have the choice of either conserving it or redirecting it away from your home. Conserving the water provides a cost-effective solution for watering your plants and reducing your water bill.
Redirecting examples are:• Install gutters around your home, connecting them to sizable rain barrels for storage when needed.
• The use of French drains can help manage water drainage efficiently.
French Drain example
French drain example 2
2. Creating a Bio-swale
Bioswales are engineered to decelerate rainwater by guiding it along a meandering or straight route. Essentially, a bioswale is an extended channel or trench containing a mix of vegetation (such as grasses, flowers, and shrubs) along with soil, mulch, or stones.
This combination serves to impede the flow of rainwater, allowing for the filtration of pollutants like litter, motor oil, and excessive fertilizer from lawns. The term "bio" is indicative of the living vegetation, while the base word "swale" denotes a low or concave area, often characterized by moisture.
Bioswale illustration
Realistic bio-swale example
3. Rain Gardens
Rain gardens are designed to capture, store, and infiltrate rainwater in a bowl shape. It is a depressed area in the landscape planted with vegetation and designed to collect rainwater, filter out pollutants, and soak the water into the ground. Residents can create simple rain gardens in their yards to help reduce flooding and river pollution.
Rain gardens and bio-swales mimic nature and are designed to manage rainwater runoff. There are plants designated for each of these types of concepts.
Rain garden examples
4. Moisture-loving Plants
Opting to let nature take its course in your yard by not planting anything might seem like a simple solution, but it comes with more drawbacks than anticipated. Soil erosion and water runoff emerge as the primary issues, followed by flooding into your homes causing you to spend countless hours redirecting it back outside.
Fortunately, there are numerous plant varieties well-suited for the moist banks of sandy soils. Take a glance at the swamps as you travel the state. They are lined with bald cypress trees, tall grasses, and some of my favorites - the River Oats, Saltmeadow Cordgrass, and Taros, along with Bald Cypress trees. Bald Cypress trees are known for their horizontal roots just below the surface and protruding upward from the ground or water. Since they tend to grow along rivers and in wetlands, they are excellent at soaking up floodwaters and preventing erosion. They also trap pollutants and prevent them from spreading.
If you are looking for creative ways to turn your yard(s) from a water collection zone to a beautiful oasis that benefits both you and your home, schedule a consult with us to start.