Question
I had a professional install a wooden fence (2 yrs. old) at the edge of my property line where the hill suddenly slopes downward.  After a fairly heavy snow and melt, the fence was leaning greatly toward the slope.  Since the fence was installed I have placed soil against it to create a perennial flower bed.  
The yard has a slight grade toward the fence.  The fence installer came out adjusted the french, and added more concrete deeper in the ground around the post(at additional cost to me).  He has advised that I install a French drain.  Should it be several perpendicular with the fence (going beneath it and ending outside the fence/on the slope) or can I create it on the front side of the flower bed and end as previously stated?  Thanks!!!

Answer
Hey Trisha,

The best answer would always come from seeing a picture, and you could email one to me at [email protected], but here's my answer without:

If your fence (your property line) is in a "valley", meaning its the lowest point of the yard right there, then water will sit there loosening the soil and your fence posts will sag.  If you fence is on the beginning of a slope, yet the slope continues on, carrying the water away, then water doesn't sit there long enough to cause a problem and the issue is improper fence installation to begin with.  (Highly probable.)  Columns for bridges over bays are planted in the water, and the bridge doesn't lean over (hopefully!!).  I'm not saying your fence should be so strong, but it should be able to weather outside conditions--since it is outside.  

If the garden you made traps the water and causes it to sit stagnantly, then adjust the grade of the garden bed to that the water rolls around it and continues down the hill.  If you didn't have a problem of sitting water before the fence, then whatever your problem is now should be easily corrected and not require and money and hassle of a french drain.  I hope this is good news to you!  

I will be addressing this question, and ones like it at landscapefreeTV.com in the near future, and for eternity!  I hope to have a large library of videos soon to promptly answer all questions landscape/outdoors related.  Spread the word for me!! :)

--Brandon Swisher
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