Having a backyard is a blessing for many as you can enjoy some fresh air and outdoor activities in your own space. While some people decide to grow a garden, others may prefer raising chickens in their backyard. However, if your garden stays muddy – you will need to cover the mud in your backyard before putting it to good use.
While there can be many reasons why your backyard stays muddy, there are several ways in which you can solve the problem. We are sharing eight methods that will surely work.
Things You May Need
Sod grass
Cypress Wood Chips
Mulch
Creeper plants
How to Cover up a Muddy Backyard in 8 Steps
Method 1: Grow sod to cover up the backyard
Sod is one of the easiest and quickest ways of covering up your yard. It grows quickly, makes your soil fertile, and leaves it looking green and fresh. Your backyard will look transformed! However, it requires maintenance and can be a little heavy on the budget if you have a big backyard to cover.
If there are muddy patches in your backyard, you can grow sod just on those patches. If you decide to cover the whole backyard, make sure to till, and level the soil so the sod can survive.
Method 2: Build a rain garden
If you are planning to design your backyard to make it look green and flowery, and you are into gardening, then growing a rain garden can be a perfect idea. Rain gardens typically comprise plants and flowers that grow on wetter soil.
You can utilize the extra moisture of your muddy backyard by building a rain garden in an inexpensive way. You will, however, have to till the soil first and add compost and garden soil to prepare your backyard for gardening.
Method 3: Use wood chips or mulch your backyard
Both mulch and wood chips are inexpensive methods of covering up your yard. While wood chips may not be a long-term solution, they can cover up the mud until you decide what you want to do with your backyard. The best wood chips you can use are that of Cypress and Pine Cedar.
Mulch is similar to wood chips but has a more granular texture and is a better choice if you plan to do gardening in your backyard. It not only fertilizes the soil but also prevents weeds from growing. In fact, if you already have a few plants in your backyard, adding mulch will make them greener.
Method 4: Plant creepers in your backyard
If you are not into gardening and cannot afford to maintain sod or a rain garden, creeper plants can be an excellent, low-maintenance, and inexpensive choice. They are soft and grow on the ground, spreading everywhere easily. If the muddy areas of your backyard have less foot traffic, creepers will grow easily. Some of the creeper plants also bloom on the ground and will make your backyard look like a fairytale garden.
Method 5: Build a concrete pathway
If your backyard is frequented by people and your pets, growing any plants may not be feasible (or possible). In this case, the best approach would be to build a concrete pathway in your backyard. There are many pathway designs to choose from, but the classic bricks and stones pattern never gets old and always looks aesthetic.
However, before laying down the cement, make sure to level the ground by adding 2-3 inches of sand. This will absorb the moisture from mud and help the cement stick properly to the ground.
Method 6: Use gravel to cover the mud
Gravel is also one of the easiest ways to cover the mud. It is not only aesthetically pleasing but can also prevent fungal growth. It also helps keep pests away and prevents soil erosion. The only issue is that it may start sinking into soft mud, for which you can either first use a layer of wheat fabric before laying down the gravel or use old cardboards between the soft mud and gravel.
Method 7: Plant trees
If you have a bigger backyard, trees usually require more moisture to grow than smaller plants and shrubs. You can consider planting trees next to the muddier areas of your backyard. Growing a tree on the muddy patch is nearly impossible, so always plant a tree on the side. The roots can then grow and absorb extra moisture from the muddy patches.
However, do care to check what type of trees you can grow in your backyard, given the seasonal conditions and other factors. If you are successful in growing a tree, it will cover up the mud and improve the air quality around your house.
Method 8: Use hay or straw
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This is another easy solution for covering up your backyard; however, we’d say it is a more temporary one. If your backyard is too murky, you can cover it with hay and straw, which effectively absorb the extra moisture. However, it may not be very aesthetically pleasing, and the hay will blow whenever there is a strong wind.
Our Final Thoughts
No one likes a muddy backyard, especially when you have wanted to use the space to hang out and have a little fun outdoors. However, drainage issues and weather conditions, in general, can result in your backyard staying wet. Thankfully, there are many effective ways in which you can solve the issue and make your backyard more aesthetically pleasing. We have shared 8 of the most effective ways for how to cover up a muddy backyard and hope that at least one of them works for you!