Backyard Landscape Design and Drainage Solution: A Project Analysis

Project Analysis: Backyard Landscape Design and Drainage Solution

This project involved a complicated drainage solution. The grade of the backyard did not facilitate drainage out through the sides during heavy rainfall. Worse, the gutter system emptied out at the foundation instead of having been routed away from the home. This resulted in water accumulation around the house during periods of heavy rainfall.

You can review the before pictures below. Note the sandbags at the back door.

BEFORE PICTURES

At our initial meeting we discussed the following:

The main goal of this landscape project was to correct drainage and direct runoff from rainfall away from the house. The runoff would either be directed away from the house using the natural grade that runs off the property or towards a low area in the backyard using swales. The gutters also needed to be routed away from the house with outlets that drained into the natural grade or the low area we created.

My clients generally wanted a large lawn area for their dogs to run around, but accented with low maintenance flowering plants and shrubs. I suggested Florida native and Florida Friendly plants that would be dog safe and produce flowers for local fauna. These plants are also drought tolerant, require no chemical management, and minimal fertilizer.

My clients also requested an extension of their pavers to provide walkaround access to a back door, and expanded landing in front of the screen enclosure, all connecting to an outdoor seating area with a firepit, surrounded by tough, lush plants; as well as a paver pad or paver ‘floor’ for a small shed. We also allocated a an area for raised bed gardens.

Landscape design with a plan to correct the drainage

Earthwise landscape plan revised01a backyard landscape design to correct drainage perspective view

Please note: Exercise caution when interviewing potential service providers. These types of projects require some level of engineering to get the water flow right. Most of our time in this landscape was spent correcting the grade and creating the swales so that the rainfall runoff would be directed away from the home. The skill required for this level of problem solving is a direct result of nearly two decades in the residential landscape profession. Make sure to contact Earthwise Scott for a consultation if you are considering this type of work.

Earthwise landscape plan revised01a backyard landscape design to correct drainage map view

Mid project after removal of weeds and grading work

After completion of work

It was pretty cold when we installed this sod. The grass had browned just a bit in response to the cold weather but with good watering and a few warm weeks the new lawn greened right up.

Landscape design project by Earthwise Horticultural to provide drainage and runoff solutions for a backyard in Orlando Winter Park Winter Springs Fl.

Backyard landscape design using a drainage swale to direct rainwater runoff and gutters to a low area.

Same lawn a couple months later. The new sod had greened up by the first mowing.

backyard landscape design solution by earthwise horticultural services to correct grading and drainage add pavers and a new lawn green up after first mow