1Watch the yard after rain

Before any plan, notice where water sits after a storm and which way it wants to run. That tells us how to shape the ground.

2Shape the ground

A gentle fall away from the house and toward the street or a drain does most of the work.

3Build a draining base

A compacted, free-draining layer over the clay lets water pass through the turf and move away below it.

4Add a drain if needed

Some low yards need a drain line as well. A good installer will tell you plainly when that is the case.