During the summer months in Arizona, we experience a monsoon season. The best way I can describe a monsoon is a hurricane without the ocean. When a storm hits, the wind picks up and the rain moves in very rapidly drenching everything in sight!
Our side yard has suffered tremendously during previous monsoon seasons due to a lack of drainage. Because the rain comes down so fast, our side yard would turn into a mini river, flowing into our backyard. The rain water would pool up in our yard and sit for days not drying out which would cause algae to grow. Yuck!
I wanted to figure out some type of aesthetically pleasing drainage system for our side yard so I designed a dry river bed.
Tools Needed:
Materials Needed:
Step 1 – Plot out path
There are a few things to consider when plotting your drainage path. Your current ground cover is one thing. Do you want to attempt to buy more of the same or do you want to replace all of it? The levelness of your area is another thing to consider. The last is how far you want your path to go and whether or not you want your path to be straight or curved.
Step 2 – Ground prep
Once you’ve figured out your plans, it’s time to prep your ground! Use a shovel to contour the area. The goal is to create a shallow trench, or swale, which will help direct water run off along a path and toward the lowest point in your yard.
Step 3 – Line swale with stones
Line the swale you created with larger stones like Mexican beach pebbles.
Step 4 – Plot out landscaping/plant locations
If you’d like to add any landscaping near the swale, plot it out now BEFORE you lay your pea gravel! When your plan is in place, plant everything and then move onto the next step.
Step 5 – Add and rake pea gravel
Add your pea gravel on each side of the swale and in between your landscaping. Use a rake to smooth the gravel out and contour the area surrounding the larger stones or Mexican beach pebbles.
We haven’t experienced a monsoon yet but it did rain pretty hard the other day and our river bed held up! All of the water drained out of our yard and nothing pooled up in place. I’m hoping for similar results when the main monsoons roll in this summer!
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