skip to main content

Drainage issue and need suggestion on type of grass

16 years ago

Hello,

I have just moved into a 20 year old house, which has a backyard with very poor drainage. I live in Viriginia Beach, VA so I'm guessing our soil is mostly made up of clay. After I moved in I took down an above ground pool, two sheds and a playset. Now that I have removed all of the debris I have found that whenever it rains, my whole backyard turns into a puddle. I know very little about gardening, landscaping, etc...but I am a first time homeowner that has very little extra money to spend on professional help. I have access to a tiller and plan on ripping the whole backyard up and planting new grass, but I'm afraid if I do that, nothing will survive due to poor drainage. I have seen it done at golf courses where they dig a ditch and then just fill that in with rocks and cover it with dirt, but I don't know if that will help my yard. Should I bring in a bunch of dirt and put it in the back and spread that around and simply plant new grass seed over that? What should I do?

Also I would like a suggestion on a grass that is very durable as I spend a lot of time outside with friends playing bags, so I need something that can be trampled without dying. Also, if there is one that sucks up more water than another as I'm sure I will still have a bit of a drainage problem.

Any suggestions are appreciated.

Thank You

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (2)

bogey123
16 years ago
is there a natural area of the property which you could drain water to by using french drains?

My guess is that you have a lot of very compacted soil from the pool sitting on one spot, the sheds and playset on other spots. I suppose you could bring in top soil and till it in and then grade the yard.

Another option might be to try roughing up the bare areas where the pool, sheds and playsets were and try growing grass and see if that cures the problem before investing time and $$ into other options..
golfer2b
Original Author
16 years ago
I understand, My whole yard has been compacted so that it does not drain well at all. If I till everything up and add a good layer of top soil, it should drain a lot better. If that doesn't work, I can do the french drains or trenches. Any suggestions on grass?
Related Discussions
Bermuda, weeds, drainage issues, and shade so I have issues
Q
Comments (1)
1. ) yes. Anything you can do to help with drainage will help. Regrading, adding drains. 2.) Bermudagrass tends to thin out over a season if it is a shady location. In moderate shade it will emerge in late spring with the rest of the lawn but if it doesn't get sun it will thin out. After a number of seasons like this you don't have much there. There really isn't anything you can do about it. You can buy seed that is more shade tolerant but that will look wierd since it will be green year round and be more lush than the bermuda. 3.) Yes, you can use herbicide on the weeds. If broadleaf weeds, weedBgone is commonly used.
...See More
Drainage issues!
Q
Comments (1)
As usual, in order to understand what you're facing, you need to provide sufficient information so that we can see the lay of the land -- the large picture. Need to see where water is coming from, the site problems and how water can escape your property, or at least escape the problem area. This is usually best conveyed with wide shot photos. You might need to take some slightly overlapping pans to show a wide area. Sometimes diagrams are helpful, too.
...See More
Need engineering drainage suggestions for stock tank gardens
Q
Comments (17)
If the surface remains nicely moist because you have a lake underneath, you've got a problem. As Dave said, root rot is then pretty much assured. I'm not sure how you're judging that the bed is drying out. Sure, the surface is going to get dry, if you don't have that lake underneath. That would be completely normal. If the surface stays moist, things are probably too wet. I can't imagine that several inches down it's drying out, however. That's where you want the moisture.
...See More
Drainage issue, looking for suggestions
Q
Comments (5)
Good evening, Lara. It is difficult to see from the pictures what grades you are dealing with near the garage, except just adjacent where the drain tile lays. My initial thought is that you need reroute the pipe away from the garage and house. Never empty a pipe near a structure. You are bound to have troubles. If possible, run it out into the yard, at least temporarily. When the ground thaws, if you are in a bowl (there is nowhere you can drain the water to because your home sits at the lowest point of the property), trench and bury the pipe, running it into the center of a stone pit. The pit should be least 3’x3’x3’. If the soil in your area is slow draining, as with clay, dig even deeper. Dig a pit. Line the sides and bottom of the pit with 4oz geo-textile fabric/ landscape fabric to keep soil from mixing with the stone thereby clogging it and eliminating its free draining nature. Backfill with 3/4” crushed stone to within 8 inches of the top of the pit. Compact with a hand tamper every 6 inches. Lay additional landscape fabric on top of the stone. Cover with high quality topsoil/compost mix. Seed and fertilize with appropriate grass seed mix.
...See More

Related Stories

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Is It Time to Consider Fake Grass?

By J. Peterson Garden Design

With more realistic-looking options than ever, synthetic turf can be a boon. Find the benefits and an installation how-to here

BATHROOM DESIGN Convert Your Tub Space Into a Shower — Waterproofing and Drainage

By By Any Design Ltd.

Step 4 in swapping your tub for a sleek new shower: Pick your waterproofing materials and drain, and don't forget to test

GARDENING GUIDES 5 Great Grasses for a New Lawn

By J. Peterson Garden Design

Learn about maintenance, wear tolerance, ideal climate and more for these top turf choices to pick the right one for you

GRASSES Great Design Plant: Deer Grass

By Annie Thornton

Give wildlife a snack and give yourself a break — this food-source grass is easygoing in many climates and conditions

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Energize Your Landscape With Masses of Grasses

By Donald Pell - Gardens

Create year-round interest with waves of attention-getting grasses for all kinds of yards

GOLD FOLIAGE Great Plant: New Zealand Wind Grass

By Annie Thornton

Gorgeous, green-to-gold feather grass make a big impact for little effort

INSPIRING GARDENS Inside Houzz: A Waterfront Property Ditches the Grass for a Garden

By Annie Thornton

New drought-tolerant plantings and outdoor gathering spaces help this California backyard take in the view without wasting space or water

GARDENING GUIDES Northeast Gardener's August Checklist

By Paintbox Garden

It's hot in the August garden! Cool off with airy grasses and tactile plants that catch the breeze

THE ART OF ARCHITECTURE Architect's Toolbox: Rain Screens Up House Health

By Bud Dietrich, AIA

To thwart unwanted moisture and poor air quality in your home, think rain screens and drainage planes

MOST POPULAR Meet a Lawn Alternative That Works Wonders

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Carex can replace turfgrass in any spot, is low maintenance and adjusts easily. Add its good looks and you’ve got a ground cover winner

Sponsored

MCR ROMERO WORK LLC

Innovative & Creative General Contractors Servicing Franklin County

More Discussions

Sowed a month ago, but little to no germination

5

Giardia Prevention Help

2

Every spring and fall with pre-emergent, but still lot weeds???

3

Help for lawn in Zone 3! This is its second spring.

1

Lawn care Zone 3

1