Improving drainage
mlevie
16 years ago
Featured Answer
Comments (14)
jeannie7
16 years agoMentha
16 years agoRelated Discussions
amending commercial brand soil to improve drainage
Comments (21)I don't do orchids, but the mix they're grown in is always plenty airy. I try to limit my mixes for things like veggies & display containers to no more than 15% peat (most of my soils for woody plants have no peat and only 1/3 is pine or fir bark - the rest is inorganic particles), but soils are about compromise. By that, I mean if you can't or don't want to water every day, it's a given you'll have to grow in something that holds more water & less air. That's for you to decide. ;o) All I do is try to relay the relative importance of the physical characteristics of the soil proper, and the choice or combination of ingredients that goes into it. All soils have inadequacies; none are perfect. Some growers can adapt to them because they have enough info/knowledge to recognize the shortcomings. That you have concerns and are aware of what constitutes a good container soil is half the battle in heading off potential problems. My bet is you'll do just fine. Al...See MoreImproving soil drainage
Comments (7)If you decide to modify the clay with sand, remember you'll be working it roughly 50-50 and it adds up. A thousand square feet of clay to remove and replace, four inches deep, is twelve heavy cubic yards, so it's good to avoid carting stuff away. As a rule of thumb, think of sand for drainage and organics (tons of it!) for growth. Two separate goals. If you do go the French rubble drain route and use an imbedded tube, look into local conditions concerning using weed barrier/landscape fabric to guard against finer materials seeping around the gravel/rubble. It can get in the way of drainage, even at what might seem to be a super slow rate. Here, in our very arid ground, I wrap a perforated three or four inch plastic pile with sunscreen when I bury it in the fill, so if the fabric/pipe clogs the fill might still drain and vice-versa....See MoreAdvice on Improved Backyard Drainage
Comments (7)I was thinking of using the french drain as a replacement for the catch basin. It would serve the same purpose... collect the water in one place before it can be drained away. I was also kind of thinking it might look nicer having the exposed gravel for the french drain than the catch basin with just dirt around it. You're probably right though. The french drain is a lot more work to serve the same purpose and with possibly less capacity. I'm not sure how to calculate the capacity of a french drain but some really rough math makes me believe that the french drain is gonna have half the capacity. Doesn't your argument against french drains still apply to catch basins though? It's still possible to overwhelm the catch basin if it's undersized? Maybe it's just easier to under-size a french drain? What size catch basin should I be using? Your use of double negatives (unlikely and not) has me a little confused. :) Are you saying that two 4" pipes IS likely to be overkill, or that two 4" pipes IS NOT likely to be overkill? Later on it seems like you're advocating for using the two pipes. All the basins I initially saw with 2 outlets had the outlets on the opposite sides of each other. I figured I would either need have one outlet facing the correct direction and use two 90 degrees elbows to get the other pipe facing the correct direction, or put both outlets perpendicular to desired direction and then use one elbow on each side. I was hesitant to use so many elbows. I read stuff about using 45 degrees (or less) if possible to prevent the water from slowing down. Should I not be worried about that? Some more searching and I found this basin (http://www.sprinklerwarehouse.com/NDS-Drainage-Catch-Basin-p/nds-1800.htm) which lets me choose the sides I want the outlets. Having one face the correct direction and the other only being 90 degrees off seems better....See MoreImproving soil drainage for plants in the yard?
Comments (2)Yes, digging a large and well amended planting hole in a poorly draining soil is pretty much a recipe for disaster. If you do not wish to amend a much larger area (and often all that does is increase the size of the 'bathtub') then dig a wide but quite shallow planting hole and site the plant high, so that the top inch or two of the root ball is above grade. Backfill with the soil you have removed (break up well) and then top off with whatever amendments you want to make a small mound or berm of soil. No bathtub and the elevation will assist with drainage. This is SOP for planting in a clay based soil....See Moregreenelbows1
16 years agoMentha
16 years agorhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
16 years agomlevie
16 years agoMentha
16 years agopuglvr1
16 years agobirdsnblooms
16 years agoMentha
16 years agotommyr_gw Zone 6
16 years agoJoshua Edelstein
7 years agotapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
7 years ago
Related Stories
BATHROOM DESIGNConvert Your Tub Space Into a Shower — Waterproofing and Drainage
Step 4 in swapping your tub for a sleek new shower: Pick your waterproofing materials and drain, and don't forget to test
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDESGardening Solutions for Heavy Clay Soils
What’s a gardener to do with soil that’s easily compacted and has poor drainage? Find out here
Full StoryGREAT HOME PROJECTSHow to Give Your Driveway and Front Walk More Curb Appeal
Prevent injuries and tire damage while making a great first impression by replacing or repairing front paths
Full StoryEARTH DAYHow to Build a Greener Driveway
Install a permeable driveway to keep pollutants out of water sources and groundwater levels balanced
Full StoryGREAT HOME PROJECTSUpgrade Your Front Yard for Curb Appeal and More
New project for a new year: Revamp lackluster landscaping for resale value, water savings and everyday enjoyment
Full StoryKITCHEN STORAGECabinets 101: How to Get the Storage You Want
Combine beauty and function in all of your cabinetry by keeping these basics in mind
Full StoryGREAT HOME PROJECTSWhat to Know About Adding a Backyard Bocce Ball Court
A regulation court in a relaxed setting helps you get the most from the Italian pastime. Here's what it takes to build one at home
Full StoryEARTH DAYHow to Install a Green Roof
Covering a roof with low-maintenance plants has benefits beyond just beauty. Get the details here
Full StoryMOST POPULARHow to Add a Backyard Shed for Storage or Living
Need a home office, a playspace or extra room for your stuff? Learn about off-the-shelf, prefab and custom sheds
Full StoryREMODELING GUIDESLiving Roofs Crown Green Design
Living roofs save energy, improve air, water, curb appeal — and the view from above doesn't hurt either
Full Story
tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)