Beginner Gardening: Drainage help please, any suggestions?, 0 by astcgirl

astcgirl wrote:
Hi all,
We just bought this house last year, our backyard is pretty small since we have a large lanai out back along with a tall oak tree, there is basically 5ft from the wall of the house to the wood fence. When we arrived there was scattered grass growing around, very patchy. Me with bright ideas and not thinking thought that I could put down all new sod, which I did painstakingly all by myself one weekend, 3 months later the Florida rainy season hit and all the grass is dead. It's now scattered grass and mud again. I would really love to put either stepping stones with dichondra (grass alternative) or completely pave the backyard because I am so sick of the mud but I'm worried that we need a french drain or something first. I had a contractor come out and assess the situation, but his suggestion was a $3200 french drain put in all around the house leading to the front street. I can manage about $1000 - $1500 but $3200 is a bit too steep for us just now....if anyone has any suggestions as to what could help I would be very greatful for direction. Also we have a dog so she has helped with the problem of making a track through the grass and ultimately killing it.