I need help landscaping a dirt area that drains on to my carport. Help

I am so tired of sweeping dirt off my carport. When it rains it washes down and makes a mess! I can't afford a lot to fix it but need suggestions to fix it.I just want a nice place to sit and enjoy. I'm a retired teacher and need to do this on a low budget! Thanks.
  7 answers
  • 2dogal 2dogal on Sep 11, 2017

    If you can get some large stones or bricks, build up a border along the drive way side. Then plant some thick plants to keep the dirt from washing into the drive.

  • Bou29483092 Bou29483092 on Sep 11, 2017

    Dig a narrow trench along carport and away from it. Fill w pea gravel. Plant succulents.

    • Tracy Tracy on Sep 13, 2017

      this is a great idea... you can also make it look like a dry riverbed

      www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/337981147025807316/

  • Ro Ro on Sep 11, 2017

    box woods


  • MGMN MGMN on Sep 12, 2017

    Build a border, then check with your local extension service to find out what kind of plants are native to your area. Native plants have deep root systems, which will keep the soil in place.

  • Audrey,


    We are always looking for relatively easy and thrifty problem solving ideas at Decorating On A Shoestring.


    We show a couple of different versions of retaining walls made from pallets on our Pinterest pages that will require some carpentry tools and landscape fabric that can be stained or painted to coordinate with your outdoor décor

    https://www.pinterest.com/DOASinMO under Great Crate and Pallet Ideas.


    If you want a longer lasting solution, consider using landcape blocks or even cheaper square cinderblocks from any of the big box stores.

    Putting in a couple of rows of retaining blocks is easier than you might think. The trick is to start on level tamped base. We prefer a crushed landscape mix that comes from the fall off of concrete. The other thing that we’ve found that keeps the pavers in place is installing them at least an inch or two below the surface of the driveway and we also installed perforated drain tile to catch the extra run off and ran it somewhere else in our yard.


    You can also get exterior TO GROUND lumber (this is very important so the wood doesn’t rot) and create a faux planter using garden stakes to anchor.


    In areas that we wanted privacy we planted tall ornamental grasses and in areas we wanted to be able to see around we planted Liriope (Lilyturf) which stays under 2 feet tall. Both have textures that look great with landscape blocks and are easy maintenance.


    If you want a relatively cheap and more temporary solution you can try a prefab wall such as

    https://www.hayneedle.com/product/goodideasgardenwizard4ftwall.cfm?source=pla&kwid=Planters%20level02&tid=GID059-1&adtype=pla&kw=&lsft=adtype:pla&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIvam-leif1gIVTwaGCh08GQgEEAQYBSABEgLb6vD_BwE


    Let us know what you’ve decided to use and we’ll send you some pictures of our finished works!


    Cathy @ Decorating On A Shoestring

    DOASinMO@gmail.com

  • Deb K Deb K on May 11, 2023

    Hi Audrey, the easiest with sandbags.

    They are designed to keep water from infringing on areas like your car park.

    You can get away with a single level for this job

    https://www.fallsgarden.com/block-wind-on-patio/

  • Mogie Mogie on May 16, 2023

    I have seen blocks that have a lip on the back so you can stack them to whatever (almost) height you desire.