Is Your Garden Holding Water? (A Hot Take on French Drains)

2 days ago

Rainy season always exposes where your yard is holding water.

We get asked about French drains all the time. And yes, they have their place. We’re not anti-French drain. But here’s the hot take: most of the time they are just moving water somewhere else instead of actually fixing the problem.

*Also if you have a french drain, no shade.

The potential issue is...

If water is pooling in your yard, something is off.

It could be grading. It could be soil that is not absorbing well. It could be runoff coming in faster than your space can handle. A French drain does not fix those things. It just redirects the water.

And when that happens, you can run into drains that clog over time, water backing up when there is heavy rain, and the same issue popping up somewhere else. Also, you are sending all that rainwater away instead of letting your landscape use it.

Our Approach: 3 Solutions That Work With The Water

(because we are here to provide solutions)

1. Bioswales

Think of these as shallow, planted channels that guide water while giving it time to absorb into the soil.

Slow down fast-moving water
Reduce erosion
Improve soil absorption over time

And they look a whole lot better than a hidden pipe system.

2. Dry Creeks

Rock lined channels that move water during heavy rain.

handle larger volumes of water
direct runoff from gutters or slopes
protect areas that tend to wash out

They do the job and they add to the look of your yard.

3. Rain Gardens

This is where things really start working for you.

Rain gardens are planted areas designed to collect and hold water so it can soak into the ground.

handle pooling in low spots
support pollinators and healthy soil
turn a problem area into something that actually looks good

French Drain Scenarios We Don't Hate

There are situations where they make sense and we will always tell you when that is the case.

water needs to be redirected into a better area
soil is not draining at all
there is no room for a surface solution
water is sitting too close to a foundation

Even then, we like to pair them with something else. Not rely on them alone.

The goal is not to get rid of water, it is to manage it in a way that actually benefits your space. Better soil. Healthier plants. Less erosion. Fewer long term issues. That is the difference between a quick fix and something that actually works.

If your yard is holding water, now is the time you are going to notice it.

We can help you figure out what is actually going on and build a plan that makes sense for your space!