French drain gardening dilemma

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bluntforcemama Bothell, WA(Zone 8a) Mar 27, 2012

I recently bought a house that has several French drains around the foundation (and even one out in the middle of the yard for some odd reason). I'd like to plant a garden in about the same area as the plastic pipes, which are covered by about six inches of soil, followed by about eight inches of gravel, which is also mixed with some dirt. I've read that lavender will grow in rocky soil, but is this considered too rocky? I don't want to remove the drains, as I recognize the need for them, but I would also like to do something with all the unsightly gravel and dirt. My only hope might be grass or gravel-loving plants. Maybe I can just flood the yard and grow rice.

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Cearbhaill Russell, KY(Zone 6b) Mar 29, 2012

If you are doing foundation plantings, stay at least three feet away from the structure- past the drip line of the roof/eaves anyway. Otherwise those plants will never get rain and spider mites will get 'em. Also you need to be able to walk along the house behind the plants for maintenance and regular chores. Those drains are usually no more than six inches in diameter, so moving things forward by six inches solves your dilemma there. I would not use lavender, though- I'd use something more substantial and permanent looking.
As far as the one out in the middle of the yard, unless you have a bed planned for there just let the lawn do what it will.

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bluntforcemama Bothell, WA(Zone 8a) Mar 29, 2012

I've read that the maintenance strips are highly beneficial and add to the potential value of a house because they don't allow plants to get too close to the foundation, which could possibly lead to the spreading of pests from the outdoors to the indoors. I will follow your suggestion and move the beds out further. Could I possibly raise the bed, or would this lead to poor performance of the drains? Thank you for your help.

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