Backyard Protection: Now is the time to GROW for it!

The rapid transformation of our farms, fields, and forests into urban and suburban areas is profoundly changing the way water flows during and after storm events.

When we develop land, vegetation and topsoil are removed to make way for buildings, homes, roads and infrastructure. This loss of water-slurping soil, plants and trees causes rainwater and melting snow to flow more quickly over impermeable surfaces, picking up more pollutants along the way and flooding streams in shorter, concentrated bursts.

Seemingly inconspicuous, stormwater runoff is now one of the biggest threats to our fresh water, accounting for an estimated 70% of all water pollution.

Enter our yards

Lawns in the United States now cover more land than any other crop – about 40 million acres. Thinking of our gardens as rainwater sponges is a powerful reminder that we can make simple decisions and small changes on our property to dramatically improve our water and soil quality.

Throughout 2024, the Geauga Soil and Water Conservation District has promoted backyard conservation practices as effective ways to conserve and enhance natural resources while making our outdoor living spaces more attractive and enjoyable. Just as on farmland, conservation efforts on non-agricultural land and around our homes (i.e. our yards) can keep rain where it falls, minimize stormwater runoff and pollution, provide habitat for wildlife, and improve soil health and landscape beauty. There are so many things we can do to incorporate practices to protect our backyards. Let the following list motivate and inspire you!

Transform your prey into healthy soil

Composting accelerates natural decomposition processes to recycle organic material into a usable soil enrichment product for yards and gardens. Diverting food and garden waste from landfills and increasing carbon sequestration are just a few of the many benefits of composting. There are so many methods for composting. Therefore, before purchasing or building a container, do your research to find out which one is best for your situation. It can be as simple or as complex as you make it, so remember that compost will be created no matter what! Experience will tell you what works best, so don’t delve too deeply into the details. Just take the step and start your batch!

Rain today? Give water tomorrow.

By collecting roof runoff to irrigate landscapes, lawns and flower gardens, these commonly reused food-grade plastic barrels help conserve water, alleviate flooding and reduce stormwater pollution. Because there are different types and ways to set up a rain barrel, it is again recommended to do your research first so you can decide how to install your barrel in the most efficient and effective way to meet your needs. Barrels are available at many retail stores, online, and at many soil and water conservation areas (including Geauga!). So be sure to shop around and make a solid plan before making a purchase.

Landscape for the long haul

Although you’ve probably never thought of your garden as a nature reserve, it actually is! Plants are the crucial base of the food chain for almost all ecosystems. They make food from the sun’s energy and then pass that energy through chains to insects, birds, mammals and more as they eat and are eaten. The unique and complex relationships within these food webs have evolved over thousands of years and over thousands of generations within a community. That’s why it’s so important to plant native plants and trees. Our local wildlife cannot survive without them!

While the planting season appears to be coming to an end, fall is a good window for planting native plants as the season provides ideal conditions that promote new growth and healthy roots.

Plant them to slow the flow

Speaking of plants, did you know that nothing can slow water flow or prevent flooding like deep-rooted native plants and trees? Studies have shown that native plants and trees added to residential developments can reduce stormwater runoff by 65%. Just one tree can absorb hundreds of gallons of rainwater each year.

In contrast, a typical lawn has minimal root depth and less than 10% of the water holding capacity of a natural forest. Whether you’re adding a buffer along your stream, a tree line, a wildflower meadow, or a rain garden, consider converting a portion of your lawn into a conservation feature to capture more stormwater and slow runoff.

Collect rewards

Do you feel the anxiety creeping in about raking up dead leaves? As fall leaves fall upon us, instead of raking (and cursing!) them, we can look at the leaves differently before we rake, mow, and blow. Many people don’t realize that most insects and invertebrates overwinter where they spent the entire summer. They are simply less active and more hidden… They are protected from the elements in our fallen leaves and organic waste.

Consider setting up some areas of your garden as places to put the leaves! Mulching leaves with a lawnmower also saves time, adds organic matter and nutrients to the soil, improves infiltration, and reduces runoff. Leaves also prevent weed growth and act like a blanket, keeping tender plant roots warm during the cool winter months. Researchers have found that leaf mulching in the fall results in a greener lawn and up to 80% fewer dandelions the following spring.

Perhaps the transition of seasons will inspire us to make a few changes to our own habits and living spaces. Contact your local soil and water conservation district for more information and resources on these backyard conservation measures.

Whether you have a large country lot, a suburban lot, or a small city lot, now is the time to revamp your yard and “grow for it” with backyard protection!