I live in Northeast Texas. I just bought a house and the back yard is developing huge cracks in the ground. I have been watering but what else can I do. They call the land around my area blackland. It is very hard. Will this cause foundation problems? Should I just keep watering, or should I have the cracks filled in with dirt? Any help is greatly appreciated......Thanks!!!!!!!!1
2006-07-22 12:02:03 · 5 answers · asked by powder754d 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Garden & Landscape
Check with your local Cooperative Extension office and see what their advice is. This service is available in every state, and mostly free. Here is a link to the Texas office: http://texasextension.tamu.edu/
When you go to that page, there is a link for you to find your local county Extension office. Good luck with your yard.
2006-07-22 12:43:19 · answer #1 · answered by Diane 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
We have the same problem, we live near Conroe, Texas and it has not caused a foundation problem! I was worried about it, the ground pulls away from my foundation sometimes 1 1/2" and all the cracks in the ground. Our house is about 16 years old and we were told that if we haven't watered before, don't start, if we started watering the foundation excessively, it could cause the ground to shift different than what it normally would so, don't go nuts with the water BUT, do keep an eye on your house and how things may change! A house will always have some movement and if it doesn't cause major problems don't get worked up over it!!!!!!!!
2006-07-22 19:13:24 · answer #2 · answered by skyguy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i would add a product called Earth Right Super Stuff Enhanced Soil Conditioner Just look for EARTH RIGHT. It hooks on the end of your hose, so its convenient. I used a pint application on my 25x80 garden (which had the same problem) and it helped for about 1-1/2 to 2 inches of soil (i wish i had used it while i was tiling instead of this late in the season). I would let the ground crack up again and use up to 3 quarts; If your water starts to run off, wait for it to dry a little, then re apply! the pint says good for 5000 sq ft, but with the problem u and i are having, trust me, youll need more. If you dont want to let the ground crack up again, then just aerate it before it cracks but after it begins to dry and then add the application. hope i helped.
2006-07-22 22:18:14 · answer #3 · answered by darpdarp 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I live in western Okla. and we have the same problem. You need to water heavily to prevent foundation problems. If you have buried waterlines and sewerlines they will also be effected by the ground cracking. Water till you drop.
We use a Black foam type soaker hose to water. There is no water shooting into the air, so less evaporation occurs.
We also water 24/7. BUT we have a water well on our property. A water bill can prove to be prohibitive.
2006-07-22 19:13:55 · answer #4 · answered by Munchie 69 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i to live in texas!ours cracked too!it finally got so bad we started to put dirt and cow manure in the cracks so that nonone would get hurt by tripping in them!plus it helps fertilize for when we do finally get enough rain!
2006-07-22 20:00:29 · answer #5 · answered by cyndi b 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋