This video outlines a DIY French drain and river rock landscaping project that solves two problems: removing water from the foundation and creating low-maintenance landscaping. Here's a detailed outline with the supplies needed: ## Video Outline - **Introduction (0:00–0:39)** - Ryan explains the project solves water problems near the foundation and overgrown landscaping - Goal: curtain/French-style drain + low-maintenance river rock option[[youtube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjZ95sGaD-k&t=0)] - **Step 1: Remove Bushes & Stumps (0:40–0:70)** - Cut bushes with a small chainsaw - Dig out all stumps after bush removal[[youtube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjZ95sGaD-k&t=40)] - **Step 2: Remove Pavers & Mark Edge (0:56–1:16)** - Remove landscaping blocks/pavers - Use white paint to mark the bed edge[[youtube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjZ95sGaD-k&t=71)] - **Step 3: Establish Grade (1:17–1:53)** - Go 1.5–2 inches deep next to concrete - Slope uphill toward the house (more dirt by house)[[youtube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjZ95sGaD-k&t=77)] - **Step 4: Remove Dirt & Set Overall Grade (1:54–2:53)** - Remove all dirt to establish overall grade - Ensures yard and landscaping bed are at correct height[[youtube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjZ95sGaD-k&t=102)] - **Step 5: Remove Sod (2:54–3:04)** - Cut and save sod for patching brown yard areas later[[youtube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjZ95sGaD-k&t=173)] - **Step 6: Dig Trench (3:05–4:28)** - Trench: ~56 ft long, 14 inches deep, 10 inches wide - Start from low side, work uphill to maintain slope - Use a 4-ft level to check slope (bubble on high side = good)[[youtube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjZ95sGaD-k&t=185)] - **Step 7: Install Geotextile Fabric (4:29–5:07)** - Fabric: 3.5 oz, 4 ft wide, 300 ft roll - Purpose: keeps pipe from silting up, lets water through but not dirt - Roll fabric across entire length, step down into trench, pin in place[[youtube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjZ95sGaD-k&t=319)] - **Step 8: Install Pipe System (5:08–6:05)** - Pipe: 100-ft roll of 4-inch corrugated perforated pipe from Lowe's - Configuration: tee → riser to surface → pipe at bottom → another tee with riser → continues under fence to connect to existing French drain - Use gutter connector to connect to existing pipe without digging up[[youtube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjZ95sGaD-k&t=380)] - **Step 9: Add Number 57 Washed River Gravel (6:06–6:54)** - Round stones create bigger voids for better water flow - Use patio pavers temporarily to hold pipe down - Fill gravel around and over pipe, 2 inches from sod height[[youtube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjZ95sGaD-k&t=466)] - **Step 10: Wrap Fabric Over Top (6:55–7:24)** - Remove pins, pull fabric tight over top, fold overlapping piece, pin again - Protects from silt/debris from top[[youtube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjZ95sGaD-k&t=515)] - **Step 11: Build Retaining Wall (7:25–7:58)** - Use larger rocks found in yard to create retaining wall at end of planting bed - Dig small trenches for rocks, adjust until they lock together[[youtube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjZ95sGaD-k&t=568)] - **Step 12: Spread Mini C Boulder Rock (7:59–9:12)** - Rock: "mini C boulder" (1–4 inch stones), $55/ton - Spread 3–4 inches thick around plants, thicker in drain area - No weed barrier—just use pins[[youtube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjZ95sGaD-k&t=623)] - **Step 13: Water Plants & Wash Stone (9:13–9:43)** - Water plants - Spray stone with water to wash off sand/silt, revealing true color variations[[youtube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjZ95sGaD-k&t=816)] - **Step 14: Regrade & Define Edge (9:44–10:03)** - Use pulled dirt to regrade, put 4+ inches over trench for grass growth - Redefine edge for sharp, defined look[[youtube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjZ95sGaD-k&t=844)] - **Step 15: Add Grass Seed & Fertilizer (10:04–10:43)** - Grass seed: Pennington Smart Seed Ohio mix (perennial ryegrass + Kentucky bluegrass) - Starter fertilizer: Scotts starter fertilizer - Lightly rake to mix seed/fertilizer/dirt, add thin straw layer to lock moisture[[youtube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjZ95sGaD-k&t=864)] - **Step 16: Water & Final Results (10:44–12:07)** - Water at night or early morning - 2 weeks later: grass coming in, rocks looking better after rain, no water pooling - Explains risers (for cleaning with hose), French vs curtain drain, plant recommendations[[youtube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjZ95sGaD-k&t=963)] --- ## Supplies Needed to Complete This Project ## Tools & Equipment |Supply|Details| |---|---| |Small chainsaw|For cutting bushes [[youtube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjZ95sGaD-k&t=40)]| |Safety glasses & hearing protection|Safety essentials [[youtube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjZ95sGaD-k&t=45)]| |Shovel|For digging trenches and stumps [[youtube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjZ95sGaD-k&t=50)]| |White paint|To mark bed edge [[youtube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjZ95sGaD-k&t=71)]| |4-ft level|To check trench slope [[youtube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjZ95sGaD-k&t=281)]| |Hose|For watering plants and washing stone [[youtube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjZ95sGaD-k&t=816)]| |Fertilizer spreader|Optional, for spreading grass seed [[youtube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjZ95sGaD-k&t=894)]| |Rake|Light raking to mix seed/fertilizer/dirt [[youtube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjZ95sGaD-k&t=914)]| ## Drainage Materials |Supply|Details| |---|---| |Geotextile drainage fabric|3.5 oz, 4 ft wide, 300 ft roll (non-woven) [[youtube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjZ95sGaD-k&t=319)]| |Corrugated perforated pipe|4-inch × 100-ft roll from Lowe's [[youtube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjZ95sGaD-k&t=380)]| |Tee fittings|2 tees for pipe system [[youtube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjZ95sGaD-k&t=398)]| |Riser pipes|2 risers to surface from tees [[youtube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjZ95sGaD-k&t=405)]| |Gutter connector|To connect to existing pipe without digging [[youtube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjZ95sGaD-k&t=426)]| |Number 57 washed river gravel|Round stones for trench (better water flow) [[youtube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjZ95sGaD-k&t=466)]| ## Landscaping Materials |Supply|Details| |---|---| |Mini C boulder rock|1–4 inch stones, $55/ton (not washed gravel) [[youtube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjZ95sGaD-k&t=628)]| |Large rocks|From yard, for retaining wall [[youtube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjZ95sGaD-k&t=580)]| |Patio pavers|Temporary, to hold pipe down in trench [[youtube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjZ95sGaD-k&t=480)]| |Grass seed|Pennington Smart Seed Ohio mix (perennial ryegrass + Kentucky bluegrass) [[youtube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjZ95sGaD-k&t=875)]| |Starter fertilizer|Scotts starter fertilizer [[youtube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjZ95sGaD-k&t=901)]| |Straw|Thin layer to lock in moisture [[youtube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjZ95sGaD-k&t=930)]| |Plants|Hostas and tall grasses (small root base, drought-resistant) [[youtube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjZ95sGaD-k&t=1113)]| ## Optional/Rentable - Trencher or mini excavator (can rent instead of digging manually)[[youtube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjZ95sGaD-k&t=192)] This project is low-cost but produces professional-grade results that work for yard drainage and low-maintenance landscaping.[[youtube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjZ95sGaD-k&t=0)]