5 Signs Your Western NC Landscape Needs More Than Just Water

Western NC's landscape gets plenty of rain, but that doesn't always mean your plants and lawn are getting what they need.

Our region's clay soils, steep terrain, heavy rainfall, and changing seasons can create landscape challenges that can't be solved by simply adding more water.

Here are five signs that your landscape may need a closer look:

1. Water is pooling in your yard.

If water sits in certain areas after a rainstorm, you may have a drainage or soil compaction issue. Adding more water won't solve the problem — improving how water moves through the landscape might. Drainage improvement products like French drains, closed drains, dry-wells, bioswales, and no-mow ditches are great tools to prevent water pooling, too.

2. Soil is hard or compacted.

Compacted soil can make it difficult for roots, air, and water to move through the ground. This is especially common in areas that receive a lot of foot or equipment traffic.

3. Soil is washing away.

Heavy rainfall can quickly expose erosion problems, particularly on sloped properties. Look for exposed roots, bare patches, or soil collecting at the bottom of a slope.

4. Plants aren't thriving despite regular watering.

Yellowing leaves, poor growth, or struggling plants can be caused by more than a lack of water. Soil conditions, drainage, nutrients, pests, and plant selection can all play a role. The North Carolina clay soil also plays a factor– it can contribute to the plant's roots being drowned.

5. Some areas of your property consistently struggle.

If one part of your landscape thrives while another remains bare or unhealthy, differences in sunlight, soil, drainage, or slope may be contributing.

In Western North Carolina, a healthy landscape requires more than water. Understanding your soil, drainage, terrain, and plants can help address problems at their source and create a landscape that is built to thrive in our local environment.

If your landscape isn't performing the way you'd like, the first step is figuring out why.

Not sure what's causing your landscape problems? Let A Lawn A Day Landscaping, LLC take a closer look. Contact us to discuss your property's needs.