Planting in Puddles: How Native Plants Boost Water Infiltration in Your Yard

Drainage issues in Ohio are very common issues to have. Especially during spring months, Warren County can see a substantial amount of rainfall, and all that rain doesn’t disappear, it all goes somewhere. Many urban areas have stormwater structures on and around the road to transport the water to streams and rivers. Rural roads may have a ditch right next to the road to take the water away. Storm sewers and roadside ditches that convey water within the right-of-way are generally maintained by the county or municipalities. Private property however does not get the luxury of well-maintained stormwater infrastructure. In locations that have a high grade, such as a hill, the water can move off-site quickly downhill. Areas that have low grades are not necessarily able to transport the water as quickly, and without any structure to convey the water, may sit and pond in certain areas. This may be the case with your backyard. The water may have no good place to go, and so it sits in one area and causes ponding in the yard, making use of that part of the yard difficult. Fortunately, there are different ideas and solutions that may help with this type of drainage issue. In this article, we will look at one option specifically: native, water loving plants.
 
First let’s discuss why native, water loving plants are a good option to help drain some of the wet areas in a yard. For one obvious reason, the plants love water! These types of plants can absorb and hold onto extra water that is sitting around in an area. For the issue of standing water, this is great because the plants will be able to soak up some of that extra water. How much water will depend on the species and density of what is planted. Only planting one or two may soak up some water, while dedicating a large area to planting many plants may help soak up most of the wet spot entirely.
 
The other great benefit that water loving plants bring to wet areas is their deep root system. The native plants to this area of Ohio have nice and deep root systems. This means that the roots spread deeper into the ground than most other plant species. Why is this a benefit to water quality and infiltration? Plants with deep root systems are able to spread their roots down into the soil and cover a fairly large surface area. The action of the roots cutting through the soil creates pathways and large pores in the soil for water to flow down into. The deep root systems do an amazing job of creating infiltration into the ground. In normally wet areas of a yard for example, the plants and their root systems create paths into the ground that allow water to drain downward. This feature may be the best benefit and resource to use to help with a wet area in a yard.
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In general, native plants provide many environmental benefits other than just water infiltration. On top of the benefits to helping with the drainage of wet lying areas, native plants are an attractive plant for other native organisms that benefit the environment. The native plants contribute to the biodiversity of an area by providing food for other organisms, moving nutrients throughout the soil, and even providing shelter and habitat for other organisms. In conclusion, native plants absorb water, create pathways in the ground for infiltration, and are great for the biodiversity and creating a healthy environment. So, if there is a wet spot in the back corner of your yard that tends to puddle for a few days, planting natives might be a great option for you!
 
Listed below are links to websites that can be used to point you in the right direction to find the right native plant to get for your goals. For more information feel free to reach out to our office at (513) 695-1337.  
 
Plant Finder.org - https://nativeplantfinder.nwf.org/
Ohio Division of Natural Resources (ODNR) Native Plant Lists - ODNR Native Plant List
Ohio Native Plant Month.org - https://www.ohionativeplantmonth.org/