Shaping the Earth

Developing a systemic plan for water evacuation is an integral part of your master landscape plan. We offer three types of drainage control, which can be used either separately or in conjunction with one another—Area drains, French drains, Soil contouring.

Area drains are simply catch basins of the appropriate size installed at the lowest point of the grounds. These basins then feed the water through underground piping to the drainage system. Area drains are most often used, and most effective, in the middle of an open area, such as yards, patios and planter areas. 

French drains are a time-honored system for eliminating excess water from low points and other areas prone to saturated soil. They are especially useful in collecting water that pools against foundations and walls. French drains are simple in design: basically they are just trenches filled with gravel, topped with sand. In some instances a drain pipe will be included in the design. French drains are a low cost, low maintenance system.

Soil Contouring is the art of shaping the land to increase the beauty, conserve the soil and manage drainage of the area. Proper soil contouring promotes an even flow of water to designated drainage areas without having harsh or abrupt changes in land profile.  Carefully contoured land conserves a great deal of water. Torrential rainfall can be slowed down to seep into, rather than erode, the land that it flows across.