That sounds like a pretty creative solution, especially with the grasses softening things up. Did you find certain native grasses handled flooding better than others? I've been thinking about trying something similar, but I'm not sure which plants would bounce back quickest after heavy rains...would love to hear what worked best for you.
"Did you find certain native grasses handled flooding better than others?"
Definitely noticed some differences when I worked on a similar project last year. Switchgrass and prairie cordgrass were real standouts for me—they seemed to bounce back quickly, even after heavy rains left the area submerged for days. I remember one particularly nasty storm...the switchgrass looked flattened at first, but within a week or two, it was standing tall again. Prairie cordgrass took a little longer but held up surprisingly well over the season. Might be worth testing a small patch first to see how they do in your specific conditions.
Interesting, I hadn't thought about switchgrass before.
"Prairie cordgrass took a little longer but held up surprisingly well over the season."
Wonder if its slower recovery means it's better for long-term stability? Curious if anyone's noticed differences in root depth affecting flood tolerance...
I've wondered about root depth myself when choosing plants for flood-prone properties. Last year, I flipped a house near a creek that flooded pretty regularly. Initially, I went with switchgrass because it was recommended for quick establishment, but honestly, it didn't hold up as well as I'd hoped after repeated flooding. Prairie cordgrass, though...
"Prairie cordgrass took a little longer but held up surprisingly well over the season."
...that matches my experience exactly. It took its sweet time getting established, but once it did, it seemed to handle flooding better. I dug up a few plants later on, and the roots were impressively deep and dense—way more substantial than switchgrass. Makes me think that slower initial growth might actually mean stronger roots and better long-term stability. Has anyone else noticed similar results with other grasses or plants?
- Had a similar issue with a client's riverside property. Tried blue grama grass first—quick to sprout but shallow roots didn't handle flooding well. Switched to cordgrass later, slower start but way sturdier long-term. Seems patience pays off with root depth...
