Question
Hi,

I would like to build a raised flower bed along the side of my garage where weeds love to grow. How far away from the wall of the garage do I need to place the flower bed? Also, the yard tends to be wet. Will the flower bed help keep water away from the garage or make the problem worse?

Thanks,

Adrienne

Answer
Hello,

Locating the bed a mimimum of 5 feet from the wall would be a good way to prevent water collecting around the garage wall,but of course that would not allow you to address the weed problem near the wall.  

Another option may be to build the bed next to the wall but with a plastic,clay,concrete or concrete paver apron underneath to keep water from soaking down around the wall. It would be desirable to have the ground sloped away from the garage.

Yet another option may be to install an underdrain at the footing of the garage foundation and perhaps a dimbled memebrane or "waterboard" on the surface of the garage foundation wall. This FIN drain will drain water away vertically from the wall and empty out into the footing drain. The footing drain of course needs an outlet. A better idea would be to keep water away from the wall to begin with by using the above mentioned aprons or locating the bed away from the wall.

The bed will not have any effect in keeping water away from the wall. If installed next to the wall without drainage,the problem of water collecting around the garage foundation wall will vary in intensity,depending on how large the bed is and how much water gets in it. If the soil contains alot of clay then swelling could become a problem and that could crack or move the foundation. A footing drain or other drainage structures around the permimeter of the garage would be a better option to deal with water problems around the garage.

It is also a good idea not to have any kind of organic mulch around buildings. This could attract termites and other nuisance insects. Good luck. Let me know if I can be of further help.


Mark Harshman
http://www.mahdrafting.com
Email: [email protected]

http://www.allexperts.com/ep/724-104627/Landscaping-Design/Mark.htm