Drainage rock for garden next to house - Ask Extension
Hello, I am a new homeowner and am planning an annual flower garden for my backyard. The sunniest part of the yard is next to my house. My understandi...
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Drainage rock for garden next to house #929150
Asked April 21, 2026, 5:40 PM EDT
Hello, I am a new homeowner and am planning an annual flower garden for my backyard. The sunniest part of the yard is next to my house. My understanding is that it’s best practice to leave a couple feet between the house foundation and start of the garden. My question is, do I need to put any drainage rock or anything between the house and the garden?
Hennepin County Minnesota
Expert Response
Thank you for your question.
I am goiing to guess that the house wall faces SSW.
You do not have a gutter on the roof over the window. I do not know what the water handling is for the porch on the left. Also, without a level in the picture, I am guessing about ground slope.
You need elevation to take water away from the house. Unfortunately the window well does not leave any room to spare. I am also concerned about water flow off the window roof and know nothing about the porch. This is more of a landscaping than a gardening issue. It should not be too expensive to have this looked at. It is in your interest to do so to prevent water infiltration into the basement.
I am goiing to guess that the house wall faces SSW.
You do not have a gutter on the roof over the window. I do not know what the water handling is for the porch on the left. Also, without a level in the picture, I am guessing about ground slope.
You need elevation to take water away from the house. Unfortunately the window well does not leave any room to spare. I am also concerned about water flow off the window roof and know nothing about the porch. This is more of a landscaping than a gardening issue. It should not be too expensive to have this looked at. It is in your interest to do so to prevent water infiltration into the basement.
