Question
HI,
Me and my husband bought a brand new home recently. There is a steep hill in our backyard. When it rains in certain spots in our backyard puddles form. We even have a bare spot. Due to the puddles our new bermuda grass is turning brown. Everyone is saying it is turning brown due to the season changing and just wait until spring. If that was the case my entire yard would be the same and everyone elses yard in our community would be the same.
What should I do?

Answer
If you have puddles now, my friend, it's only going to get WORSE in the spring.

Remember that old gardener's saying about April Showers?

Your neighbors mean well.  They want to look on the bright side.  But that's not going to solve your problem here.  Not as long as you're living at the base of a mountain.

I am not a contractor so I cannot really help you on an Expert level with your water problem -- but I recall an excellent Reader's Digest article on this very common homeowner challenge at their website, "Better Yard Drainage" (www.rd.com/content/openContent.do?contentId=17944).  It comes reprinted from the March 2000 issue of a magazine called The Family Handyman.

They note that your water issues are common.  Having this problem actually puts you in a club with 60% of ALL HOMEOWNERS.

If a slope leading to your house is the source of the problem, or a depression in the yard, or water from the roof, the authors note, figure out where in your property you want to drain the water.  Then build one of their little projects.

I am inclined to believe this is reading for basic guidance and steps on how to solve this water problem simply and effectively.

At least you will understand the problem when you finally speak with a professional.

You did not mention where you live.  I can't assume a George Peach is ALWAYS from Georgia!

There are several possible ways to improve the drainage situation.  One I DON'T recommend: Adding sand to the top-soil.  It may seem like an easy, cost efficient solution.  But you'll turn your soil into solid hardpan if the dirt in your part of the country is high in clay.

This is not such an unusual situation.  You should of course make sure that all your landscape slopes away from the house.  If not, that's a top priority.  But let's assume you don't have to worry about that.  The right way to do this is to level your landscape, and then look into installing drainage pipes.  This is a real project, but it promises to be the most effective solution on the table.

Your Bermudagrass simply cannot thrive in waterlogged, mushy soil.  If you add organic matter - humus, compost, manure, even peat moss - you will improve the moisture problem by raising the moisture-holding capacity of your soil.

Fungus outbreaks are a common feature in lawns with moisture trouble, and they can spread with lightning speed.  Unfortunately, you don't have that problem - your grass can't make it that far.

Don't grow ANY more grass until it's solved.  That's tricky, but it's doable as well.  Good luck.