How Does a French Drain Work?
- A French drain is a ditch that is about 24 inches deep and filled with gravel. It is used in areas where standing, excess water is not conducive to plant growth. A French drain is aesthetically pleasing, as you cannot see it once it is completed, and it provides a very important function in garden care.
- A French drain diverts excess water away from an area of the garden where it is not wanted. If you have a plant that requires well-drained soil, and the soil is such that it holds water instead of soaking it up properly, leaving it standing and making the soil boggy, you can use a French drain to divert the excess water. A French drain can be as narrow or as wide as you need it, depending on the amount of water that needs to be diverted, but it should be at least 2 feet wide.
- Soil that is not conducive to draining such as clay soils, do not allow the water to soak far enough into the ground. A French drain reduces the density of the soil near the plant, allowing the water to seep deeper into the ground and moving any excess water away from the plant. This keeps the soil from getting boggy and keep plants healthy.
- Dig a trench at least 24 inches deep from the area where standing water is an issue out to the area you wish to divert the excess water. It can divert water to another part of the garden or to another part of the yard. Fill the drain with small to medium gravel. Leave 4 inches of space between the top of the gravel and the top of the ditch. Pour sand into the gravel to keep the gravel from settling too much. Using a garden hose, water the sand into the gravel. For the top 4 inches, layer loam about 2 inches on top of the gravel, then lay sod on top of the loam. Water the sod.
