Flooding in the Landscape

Recovery from Rain and Rethinking Resilience

The recent rains have been record-breaking. Some areas received 15+ inches in the past weeks. Even if you don’t have a nice formal flowerbed, there will still be noticeable effects on your landscape. Debris includes leaves and twigs on your lawn from the heavy rain, lingering puddles, and the washout of mulch or rocks. In some extreme cases, entire trees might have snapped in half, or shrubs have shown signs of root rot that requires the removal of the whole plant.

What pooling water means for your yard

Lots of homeowners do not realize that their property has the potential to flood until it is too late. Much of the flooding can be seen in the lawn. This could be for a myriad of reasons. One could be the combination of heavy clay soils and compaction from constant foot traffic. Without the proper grading, there could be many areas where water doesn’t have anywhere to go, so it pools in those places.

Why a rain garden might be the solution

Many homeowners don’t realize their property is at risk of flooding until it's too late. One early warning sign is standing water in the lawn. This can happen for several reasons—heavy clay soils, poor grading, and compacted areas from frequent foot traffic can all prevent water from draining properly. Instead, it collects in low spots, damaging plants and turf and potentially seeping into foundations.

Fortunately, Johnson County offers help through the Contain the Rain program, which provides reimbursement for approved rain-smart practices like rain gardens, native plantings, and rain barrels. These practices can reduce runoff, relieve drainage issues, and support a healthier yard. Learn more about how to apply at jocogov.org/containtherain.

Tree damage after storms: What to prune or replace

Trees that have suffered storm damage, such as fallen or broken limbs, should be cleaned up. Damaged portions of the tree can be pruned off if severe enough. Since the best time to prune trees is when they are dormant, only the branches that need your immediate attention should be cut. This limits the potential to be infected by a disease that attacks open wounds. Woody plants have biological processes to limit how far the disease can spread. The best pruning cuts are above the branch collar, or the swollen area where the branch connects to the trunk. Damage to the branch collar could lead to the wound taking longer to heal and opening the main trunk to disease. You should consider replacing the tree if it has experienced severe damage.

Root rot and wet soil: What to watch for

Flooding in heavy clay soils can lead to the roots being wet for far too long. This makes conditions favorable to disease, especially root rot. Signs of root rot will be yellowing or wilting leaves starting at the top of the plant. Plants well adapted to growing in water-saturated soils might not show any signs of disease, but the plants that prefer drier conditions will have more susceptible roots. A quick way to see if your woody plant is done for good is to bend the top portion of the twigs; if they snap easily, that is not a good sign. It might be hard to let go of something you put a lot of work into, but it could also be an opportunity to replace it with something that can thrive in those conditions.

Turning flooding challenges into landscape resilience

By observing how your landscape responds to extreme weather, you can identify weak spots and opportunities for improvement. While flooding can cause short-term damage, it also reveals where strategic updates—like rain gardens or better drainage—can strengthen your yard’s ability to bounce back. With a few smart adjustments, your landscape can recover and stay strong through future storms.

by Markis Hill, Horticulture Ornamentals and Turf Agent, 2025