Asked on Jul 19, 2016
Is a flower bed possible?
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Is a flower bed possible due to rain runoff? Rain water falls off the front of my home and gutters aren't possible. Would love to have a flower bed in front of my house but I'm scared that the runoff from the rain will wash everything away or cause big holes. Is there anything I can do?
Sorry, not the best picture, but this is where the water drains off the roof. Gutters aren't possible. I live in south Louisiana, so it rains a lot. Would love a flower bed, but I'm scared it would have big holes from the runoff.
8 answers
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Go get a large barrel, some down pipe, a length of guttering equal to that space above your door/window, use gorilla glue to fix the it to the eaves or the under drop, lead the down pipe into the barrel and make a small hole to fit a smaller pipe bore to te bottom edge of the barrel, fit your pipe in and either with hose or additional pipe, lead it away from that area to the side or to a drain, plant your flower bed, everything is possible !
Mcg4157699
on Jul 20, 2016
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Do you have ruts in your yard where the rain comes off now? I would recommend doing a raised bed ---and if there is an area that that gets too much run-off, but a birdbath or something to catch the water that would allow it to disapate to the other areas that don't get the water.. If the area stays moist I wold make sure that I planted things that like to have wet feet--there are several plants that would work well in moist soil.. check under rain gardens for for ideas.
Cathy
on Jul 20, 2016
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Where does the water go after it runs off the roof and hits the ground? Doesn't it cause big hole now? Is there a basement? Do you own or rent? Why is a gutter not possible?
Connie Hoge
on Jul 20, 2016
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Hi Valerie, 1. Make a gravel border for your house. Wide enough that it extends about 2' beyond where the water splashes down from the roof. You could make it brick, looking sort of like a sidewalk, choose your material carefully- color, texture, size, style. Install in a swale, with a base, and geotextile under all, almost as if you were putting in a walkway. Pay attention to the grade. 2. Place a large, beautiful, sturdy bowl or basin or container under "where the porch and house connect". On a sturdy base. You can guide it's overflow in a channel, a runnel, or just let it overflow and be carried away by your new foundation grading. Add a rain chain? Does it become a place to dangle your feet? a fishpond? a home for a Lotus plant? Don't let mosquitos breed in it, use Dunks(™) or something. 3. Plant your flower bed in front of your graveled (or paved) swale. 4. Don't plant the typical "foundation plantings" of shrubs, etc. They look mid-20th century. They are actually bad for the house, harboring moisture, bugs and mold. A landscape architect is trained to assess site issues, water runoff issues, and design to solve problems, make spaces work and be beautiful. They are worth their fee. There are other ideas possible, talk to one. (I'm studying to become one.) Best, Connie
Connie Hoge
on Jul 20, 2016
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Where the rut is from the runoff about 4 inches or so in front of it (opposite side of the house) get a length of usually black plastic pipe with holes in it, cut it in half and bury it 3/4 of the way into the ground with rounded part towards where you want the flower bed. The holes will allow moisture through while the part anove ground will keep dirt from eroding away from the wash out.
Dan Dougherty
on Jul 20, 2016
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Put in gravel where the water falls to the ground and run a perforated pipe (buried) from there to a low spot in the yard and create a rain garden
DORLIS
on Jul 20, 2016
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My parents' home in Tampa had a large limestone boulder where the water dropped from the same type of corner to disperse the water force. Of course like a sinkhole, a hole was worn into and through the boulder, so the original was replaced with a granite boulder.
Anna M.S.
on Jul 20, 2016
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Is it possible to divert the eavestroughing ? Or use a rain barrel with a tap, then either use it for watering plants or attach a gardening hose and empty the rain barrel by letting the water go through the hose at a different location, by just placing your garden hose wherever you want. We have a ton of experience with this as our problem is that our eavestroughing directs the water down our driveway, which you'd think would be a good thing, but in winter it freezes creating ice all over the place including our busy sidewalk! So we have a handy rain barrel and use it for watering in the summer and we attach a flexible hose to it in the winter for when it's a melty day to run the water through onto our lawn. Hope that helps just a little.
MM
on Jul 21, 2016
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