You can dig 3'' wide holes as deep as you can go where the soil is sinking. Make a soil/water slurry and pour it until no more will sink in. Top with grass seed, and soil and let it all grow. Top dress with soil and compost whenever you notice it sinking again.
Soil compaction is the most common reason that lawns become waterlogged. Lack of space between soil particles means air and water cannot pass through, so water remains on the surface, saturating the ground and often killing the grass. Rent or purchase a hollow-tined core aerator to aerate the lawn.
In the short term dig a hole in the middle of it and pump it to a place that it will drain. Longer term you can make a dry well as a drain for the down spout. I used a large poly barrel with the bottom cut out for mine. It works great as long as the ground water level doesn't raise above the ground level.
To naturally eliminate excess water in your yard, improve drainage by adding organic matter like compost to the soil. Plant deep-rooted vegetation to absorb water, and create swales or berms to redirect it. Ensure proper grading to encourage runoff, and use permeable materials like gravel or mulch.
When you're pondering who to call for standing water in your yard, a skilled landscaping contractor should be your go-to. These experts bring years of experience and can diagnose the root cause of your yard's drainage issues, whether it's for backyard or front yard drainage.
Organic mulches like wood chips, bark, and straw absorb water. Inorganic mulches like rocks, gravel, pebbles, and rubber don't absorb water but may allow water to drain through the gaps between pieces.
To dry out soil quickly, you can apply hydrated lime to the soil, add compost and then turn the soil thoroughly to aerate it. Adding hydrated lime and compost will help absorb the water in your soil, and turning it all will help distribute the water in the waterlogged soil throughout your garden.
Thatch and Compaction
Thatch is a layer of organic matter that prevents water from seeping downward, causing it to collect on the surface. Thatch and other excess debris such as leaves, roots and grass clippings can make it more difficult for water to drain.
Utilize Ground Cover and Mulch: Plant ground cover species that can absorb excess moisture and stabilize the soil. Plants like creeping junipers or sedges can help manage water levels around trees. Apply a layer of organic mulch around the base of the tree.
Mulch and Organic Soil Amendments in your Landscaping.
Mulch will hold in moisture longer and moderate the soil temperatures, keeping your plant's roots cooler in the summer. A good layer of mulch will help keep your plants from stressing out in the hot Texas summer sun.
Overfill the Depression
Buy topsoil that's screened and free of weeds so you don't introduce new problems to your lawn. Use this topsoil to overfill any depressions with a shovel. Rake the soil across the depressions, but be sure to leave a little extra soil on top, as the topsoil will sink as it settles.
You might need to hire a professional geologist or geotechnical engineer to help you determine exactly what's happening and how it might be mitigated.
Often a sinkhole develops in a large open area of a lawn or garden. A common cause of this is buried brush, stumps or debris from past construction or other activities. Over several years, the brush and debris settle or decompose, leaving an underground void.
To re-wet, repeatedly sprinkle the surface lightly, making sure there is no run off. Covering the surface with a mulch such as straw, leaves, wood chips, or compost will also help. Eventually the soil will become moist enough to break up. A gentle, steady rain will also do the trick.
Use soil wetting products and organic matter
These products, available in granular, liquid concentrate or hose-on form, can dramatically improve water penetration. “Soil wetting agents help by penetrating through the waxy layer, enabling water to be absorbed throughout the soil,” she explains.
Possible Answer: Broken Irrigation – If a portion of the yard is swampy and wet, the first thing to check is the Irrigation system. Run the sprinklers for a few minutes per zone and walk around and check things out.
The Cost of Landscape Drainage
In general, larger projects cost more than smaller ones. High-quality materials also cost more. You can generally expect to pay between USD $30 and $1,000 per linear foot of channel drain. However, more complex situations may cost up to $150 per linear foot.
A Tasker can help you with every lawn care service from aerating and fertilizing to watering, weeding, and lawn mowing. Since lawn maintenance requires so much frequent care, it's usually best to hire someone local, like a Tasker, to take care of your lawn.