How to Construct a Dry Drainage Ditch
- 1). Dig the drainage ditch directly into the soil. Start the ditch at the problem area, and dig a trench approximately 18 inches deep and 6 inches across that leads in a downhill direction away from the problem area. If you do not have a downhill slope on your property, dig the ditch only 12 inches deep in the problem area and gradually increase the depth of the ditch as you move away from the problem area.
- 2). Direct the end of the drainage ditch to a location on your property where standing water won't cause any problems. Lakes and ponds are ideal outlets, but any low-lying area on your property without buildings or animals where water can stand without creating problems will suffice.
- 3). Lay gravel down the length of the ditch. Use enough gravel to fill the ditch to 6 inches below yard level.
- 4). Spread landscape fabric over the gravel and up along the sides of the ditch. When you have finished, the entire inside of the ditch above the gravel should be lined.
- 5). Cover the gravel with coarse construction sand, which won't clump when wet the way that fine sand does. Fill the ditch with the sand to level with the yard if you want to cover the ditch with sod so it doesn't stand out. If you want the drainage ditch to stand out in the yard so you can easily locate it when necessary, add sand to approximately 2 inches below yard level.
- 6). Hide the sand. If you filled the ditch to yard level, lay sod over the sand and use a lawn roller to press it down even with the surrounding grass. If you filled the ditch to 2 inches below yard level, spread gravel over the top of the sand until the gravel is roughly level with the ground.