What do you think of the concept of a dry creek bed?
denninmi
11 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (9)
adriennemb2
11 years agoRelated Discussions
Picture: Drain with buried pipe or dry creek bed???
Comments (22)A dry creek bed is easy to build as long as there is a place for the water to go. We routed the downspouts from our front gutters and the overflow from our water feature to drain here. This also catches all of the run off from our meadow. At the bottom of the slope in my garden above the dry creek, we have a rain garden of plants that like full sun and wet feet in winter, yet won't die in our summer. We already had a ditch, so there was very little digging. We used one pallet of river rock that was around $275 last fall. We used permeable landscape fabric underneath to control the weeds. We don't use fabric in flower beds, BTW! It took 3 of us half a day to do this, but that was with our archaeologist son looking through the stone for arrowheads (which he found). My husband and I didn't mind the slow pace! This was created in September 2006, so the plant material is new. Sidebar: The wire edging is a temporary detterent to deer to keep them from trampling the new plants. It's working so far since everything is deer resistant...See MoreDry creeks: Do you have one? Have you planted in and around one?
Comments (13)Thank-you people! We now have a fairly long dry creek which needs to handle a high volume of water. It has two levels - water comes in from the top and is "visual" and then directly under this is a hidden french drain - they all drain into a dry pond which will be filled with moisture loving native plants to clean the ground water - then it all goes back into a pipe and down the way. There are also funky tributaries to our dry creek to handle all the water coming down the bank, a few more areas need to be incorporated. It was made by the contractors and we just used rip rap but I will also add in my concrete "chunks" and the few nice found rocks the contractors dug up while grading. Eduarda, thanks for that article! It's perfect. Essentially I want mine to look like a cross between Cameron's beautiful dry creek and the Fine Gardening dry creek. Cameron, I will need to get some ideas from you about the native grasses you planted in here. Luckily I will have the ability, if necessary to "reverse" the flow of water from stored water back into the dry creek to keep everything moist. A pump and an underground water line that runs back up to the "front" of the stream will do the trick. So far our "project" is shaping up very well. A few more things need to happen before the patios go in - more retaining walls and drainage. I've got a LOT of planting to do these next few years. I have a feeling winter sowing will be my best friend!...See MoreWhat do you think about Baker Creek Heirloom seed company?
Comments (52)I like the fact that they have reviews of the different varieties on their website with the reviewer's city and state. It helps to know what grew well (and tasted good) where. Also, I had wondered about the prairie dresses! I wondered if it was a religious thing. They reminded me of the dresses the women at the Warren Jeff compound wore. Interesting to know it's just a gimmick! I ordered quite a few seed packets from them this year because I had heard good things about them and liked the varieties they offered. Since this is my first time ordering from them, I don't know how they will do yet. I agree that the catalogue is beautiful, but heavy on anti-GMO articles....See MoreThe dry creek bed-long photo heavy
Comments (2)I like everything you've done. Having had just a little experience with heavy rains I understand your need for a dry creek. That was a huge undertaking and you brought in some wonderful rocks to use for it. Now you can do some very creative fun landscaping with your dry creek! I googled that subject. Maybe you can get some ideas from some of the photos. Hopefully other readers will have some more specific ideas to pass along. Again, thank you for sharing your photos of the process. Here is a link that might be useful: Landscaping man made dry creek ......See Moredenninmi
11 years agodeviant-deziner
11 years agoeastautumn
11 years agoUser
11 years agopamdavis7
10 years agopatty_cakes
10 years agoPTLandscape
10 years ago
Related Stories
LANDSCAPE DESIGNDitch the Ordinary Ditch: Create a Realistic Dry Creek Bed
Here’s how to turn your water runoff system into an eye-catching accent for your landscape
Full StorySMALL KITCHENS10 Things You Didn't Think Would Fit in a Small Kitchen
Don't assume you have to do without those windows, that island, a home office space, your prized collections or an eat-in nook
Full StoryARCHITECTUREThink Like an Architect: Know Your Homesite for a Great Design
Learn how to approach a building site the way professionals do — considering everything in sight
Full StoryLIFEStop the Toy Takeover by Changing the Way You Think
Make over your approach and get gift givers onboard with your decluttering efforts by providing meaningful toy alternatives
Full StoryINSPIRING GARDENSHouzz TV: Curves and Surprises Transform a Dry Backyard
A landscape architect’s decision to build a detached studio leads to a whole new backyard full of low-water plants and salvaged treasures
Full StoryGARDENING AND LANDSCAPINGDry Riverbeds Solve Water Runoff
Spring rains don't have to lead to slides. Dry riverbeds redirect water runoff and add beauty to your landscape
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDES6 Native Ground Covers for Tough, Dry Spots
Sun beating down on your sandy gravel? Thick shade darkening your clay soil? There’s a ground cover here for you
Full StoryARCHITECTUREDesign Workshop: The Open-Concept Bathroom
Consider these ideas for balancing privacy with openness in an en suite bathroom
Full StoryHOUZZ TOURSHouzz Tour: A Hard-to-Find Door Just Adds to the Experience
A roundabout entry allows guests to fully enjoy this modern cedar box perched over a creek in Austin, Texas
Full StoryLAUNDRY ROOMSA Laundry Room With Bunk Beds and a Shower for Muddy Dogs
Custom cabinets with dog beds and a new step-up dog shower turn a laundry room into a hardworking hot spot
Full Story
drtygrl