How to Prevent Oversaturated Soil in Your Yard


During monsoon season, it’s easy for the soil around your shrubs and trees to become overly wet, especially if you’ve been watering them often, leading up to the big storm. Unfortunately, oversaturated soil can lead to serious health issues for your trees, and your trusted Denver plant health care team wants to help you avoid catastrophic damage to your trees. Here’s what you need to know to prevent oversaturated soil in your yard.

Watch for Low Spots in Your Yard
The main cause of oversaturated soil isn’t due to excessive moisture. It’s the result of poor drainage in your yard. After you water your plants, pay attention to where the water collects. Ideally, it should all soak into the soil. If it doesn’t, it should run off to a designated drainage area. 

If the water pools around your trees or plants, you’ll want to build those areas up. Add extra soil, grass clippings after you mow, or even old leaves that fall from your trees and bushes to the impacted area. These extra materials can effectively act as mulch to help build up the low spots around your trees and keep water from pooling around the roots.

Get Your Irrigation System Inspected
Leaks and damage to your irrigation system can cause excessive moisture levels in the soil. Worse, since those leaks often happen below ground, it can take even longer for the soil to dry out, putting your plants’ roots at risk of developing mold and decay. 

The best thing you can do is get your irrigation system inspected at least once a year. This will help prevent leaks from happening in the first place. As the growing season progresses, keep an eye on your water bill. If you notice an increase in price but haven’t changed any of your habits, get your system inspected immediately.

Give Your Plants Time to Dry Out
If the soil feels wet to the touch, don’t water your plants. Let the soil dry out a bit before you resume your regular watering schedule. This will help keep the soil from getting too wet and makes it harder for mold, mildew, and root rot to develop. 

If you’re not sure if your plants need water or want to completely avoid overwatering around your trees, consider investing in a moisture meter. These meters read humidity and moisture levels in the soil wherever you insert them. The higher the number on the meter, the wetter your soil is. The lower the number, the more your plants need water. 

Keeping Your Soil in Good Shape Helps Your Plants
The moisture levels in your soil can dramatically influence the health of your plants. When it’s properly moist, your plants will be able to grow without root rot and mold. However, if the soil stays too wet, you risk causing irreparable damage to your trees and bushes. Follow these tips, and you’ll be able to prevent oversaturated soil throughout the growing season. 

If you’re worried about your trees or want an expert to inspect them to make sure they’re healthy and thriving, don’t wait. Contact Root Tree Service and schedule a consultation.
 
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