Ideas for How to Landscape to Reduce Mud

Ground Covers

• Plant ground covers to cover bare dirt and prevent mud. Ground covers prevent rain from hitting soil directly and reduce runoff and erosion. Ground covers also grow well on slopes, which are prone to erosion and mud. Choose a ground cover that grows well in your temperature and light conditions. Common ground covers include ajuga, dwarf Japanese garden juniper, turfgrass, ornamental grasses and lily turf. Many ground covers require little maintenance.

Mulch

• Mulch over bare dirt with bark, wood chips, pine needles, straw, peat moss, gravel or crushed stone. Mulch will prevent your dirt from turning to mud in the rain, reduce erosion, reduce soil crusting and compaction and give your landscape a neater appearance. Organic mulches, such as wood chips and pine needles, also improve soil texture as they break down. Apply mulch to bare dirt, around trees and flowerbeds and over your garden in the winter.

Improving Drainage

• Improving the drainage of your yard reduces standing water and mud and also reduces the chance of flooding in your home. If you have muddy areas from a seasonal high water table or springs and seeps, install subsurface drains to a storm sewer or other outlet. Grading your yard to drain water also reduces mud and standing water.

Improving Soil Texture

• Heavily compacted or claylike soils may not allow water to penetrate deeper into the soil, causing a muddy surface and making it difficult to grow plants. Improve soil texture by adding soil amendments, such as compost or aged manure. In addition, keep foot traffic off soil by installing walkways. Foot traffic compacts soil, reducing its ability to absorb water. You can also fill small trenches of soil with sand or gravel to help your soil become more permeable.