AboutMark Expertise Design of landscape structures and design of planting arrangements in the landscape. I usually do not answer questions of a horticultural nature or about growing plants or gardening unless they are related to design. I will answer these questions at my discretion. I will answer maintenance questions at my discretion,usually when they are related to design. I am a landscape designer. I am not a contractor or a gardener.
Here are example categories of problems I can help you with: Design of residential walks,low walls,low retaining walls,fences,drainage systems,arbors,plant selection,xeriscapes (low water use landscapes),rain garden design,rain water harvesting,permeable paving,sustainable drainage. No advise on an architectural or engineering level.
I do not perform actual design work through this site. I only provide suggestions and advice.
I am a skilled draftsman and can advise you about the kind of drawings,permits and construction documents you may need for your landscape project. Any landscape project should be layed out on a drawing but larger projects in particular,that may be contracted out,should have drawings and specifications for cost and quantity estimates and for competitive bids. A drawing and specifications will also become part of any contract made with a contractor and enhances the clients protection.
Experience Landscape concept plan for a 30,000 square feet housing site. Involved site recon by pace measurements and photographs and a site analysis and a site analysis report and recommendations and a preliminary cost estimate. Design elements included canopy trees,shrub cover,accent flowers,trash receptacles,benches and planters.
Landscape concept plan for a 7,000 square feet site for a community center. Involved site recon by tape measurements and photographs,a site analysis and the creation of 3 conceptual designs for the site.
Work was done through a local professional design center. Design elements included
tree garden,playground,sitting area,lawn,cooking area,lighting and concrete and brick paving.
Landscape concept plan for a 3,000 square feet housing site. Involved site recon by tape measurements and photographs and a site analysis.
Concluded in 3 concept designs for the site,shown at a formal presentation,a site analysis and recommendations. Work was done through a community volunteer program. Design elements included decks,a playground and fencing.
Briefly as draftsman for landscape designer/gardener.
Conceptual landscape design for residence. Involved site recon by tape and pace measurements and site analysis. Design included covered patio area,ground cover and flower beds.
Two years experience as draftsman for transportation department in engineering firm and for engineering consultants to phone company. Duties consisted of plotting topography.
Survey crew member. General assistant to surveyor. Work was done for U.S. Army and County Highway Department. No instrument work. Duties included tape measurement,holding graduated survey rod and plumb bob for sighting and clearing brush.
Marketed Landscape Design Services. Brochure writing,promotional material and marketing graphics.
Education/Credentials Course in Computer Aided Drafting. 700 hours in AutoCad 2000. 700 hours to date on AutoCad Light 2000.
Certificate in Manual Drafting. 1200 hours drafting time.
Course in Civil Engineering Technology. (One Semester)
Awards and Honors From Civil Engineer:
I am very impressed with your work and with the obvious thought you have put into the marketing of your venture. It was especially good to see a print of that job we discussed on the phone. I wish you much luck with the venture as I do with your plans for school. Im darn proud of you buddy. And by the way,when I get my license,maybe you will consider me for a consulting job down the road. I hope to get together with Rick sometime soon and I would really like to show him your stuff if its ok with you. From all these questions you ask I get the feeling that you are genuinely interested and have put alot of thought into the idea and process of landscape architecture and if you could possibly afford the cost I would urge you to take some classes in the areas you are most interested in. The subject is not so simple as it appears,mixing science and engineering with art and a certain amount of religion to create a comfortable and pleasing balance between man and nature. A thoughtful soul like yours can do this but it can be a lifes work getting it right.
Question I buried 20' of 3" pvc to divert rain water to create a wet spot in south facing garden. Created a drainage bed, 3 'deep, and 3' square. Lined the bottom with 6 " layer of rock wrapped in landscaping cloth. It has never worked effectively-backs up and overflows-slowly seeps out into its destination. Pipe is clear. What do I need to do so water flows freely into the drainage area=short of digging up the whole line?
Answer Hello,
The pipe should also have a proper pitch to it. Perhaps the pitch is too shallow for the water to flow with any speed.
Or perhaps the pipe outlet is not at the right height. If you have the outlet of the pipe near the top you will only get the overflow water from the trench. The pipe outlet should be as close to the bottom as possible. Also,for this size trench,a 3 inch pipe sounds a bit undersized;at least a 4 inch pipe would be better.
If you backfilled the pit with soil and that soil has poor drainage characteristics such as a clay soil would have,then perhaps the water is being held in the soil. The pit should be backfilled with rock or gravel up to the first 18 inches. Good luck. Let me know if I can be of further help.
This pit is really not very large. Sounds like it has a volume of about 60 gallons. If some of the water is seeping out into the surrounding soil then not much will get to your garden. Gravel or rock fill would further reduce the water volume.
If the pipe is backing up then perhaps the pitch is not steep enough. A slow seepage from the pipe may just mean that not enough water is getting from the pit into the pipe since the pit has such a low volume.
Depending on how much garden area you want to water,I would suggest you make the pit bigger and think about installing a plasctic drywell or a lining of some other material to prevent water loss into the surrounding soil. Perhaps you could leave the top open with a grate over it or lay topsoil over it. Plastic drywells have precut holes for installing pipes. Good luck. Let me know if I can be of further help.
