6 French drain alternatives – and why a common tree could be a secret solution for waterlogged lawns

Drainage swale rain garden with groundcovers under willow tree in California garden.

French drains saw a spike in popularity at the start of last year and the trend shows no sign of stopping. A cursory Google of this clever drainage solution will bring up dozens of forums of gardeners recommending French drains as the only solution for a waterlogged yard.

However, French drains aren't a miracle cure for garden drainage. They won't work at the top of slopes, they need somewhere to discharge, and they're expensive to install.