How To Install French Drains

Two weeks ago, we undertook a HUGE project on the farm, installing French Drains on the farm. My friend owns Lockwood Construction, LLC, an excavation company, and he helped me solve our longterm water issues in front of the barn in our livestock heavy use area. First we dug vertical drains six feet deep. We installed geotextile fabric, then round rock, then drain pipe, then more round rock, then crushed rock on top. The vertical drains met with one long horizontal drain which carries the water away from the pasture. I learned to operate an excavator and also learned that ditch digging and shoveling rocks by hand are NOT my favorite jobs, but it is so worth it for the health and wellbeing of the animals. Not to mention, cleaning the barn is now WAY easier.
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[@450rmaniac]

I have so much admiration for you Anne. My wife and I hope our daughters will follow in the footsteps of women like her and you. You ladies aren’t afraid to get into the trenches, no pun intended, and sweat it out with the best of that trade. I always have a saying for my wife. “The grass don’t grow under her feet”. Women like you girls are in a class of their own. Keep up the hard work!

[@AnneofAllTrades]

Thank you so much for your kind words! Your wife sounds like a keeper!

[@AndTheCorrectAnswerIs]

I TOTALLY get the satisfaction I'm sure you felt when you completed this...because I did the same thing a few years ago. I put in 200ft of French drain using only my little 19hp Kubota 4x4, and a rear mounted dirt scoop (made in 1945) that I bought from a scrap yard for $35. Went from swampy to solid dry yard...what a difference! Great Job!

[@AnneofAllTrades]

Sooooo much work!

[@worldview730]

Geez, a Louis Vuitton drain, now that's a farming trophy

[@venessarobins6813]

I love seeing you working on the tractor & excavator 😊Such girl power! I got the opportunity to have a go on a small excavator yesterday myself and it was so much fun! 🚜

[@AnneofAllTrades]

I love excavators. I would love to have one someday, but I doubt home use around the farm is enough to warrant having one.

[@Awfully_Waffley]

The videos just get better! Glad to see this channel grow like this!

[@AnneofAllTrades]

Thanks Jackson!!

[@atomiczombie22]

I discovered your channel not too long ago and have been watching a lot of your videos lately. Anne, I’m now convinced there is nothing you can’t do. Thanks for the inspiration. ❤️

[@jrippee05]

Good job. I like your little friends.

[@ronaldkearn6368]

I get the biggest kick out of those burrows. They are like puppies following youn around. :-)

[@markbryan9989]

I live in New England and melting snow in the spring causes a lot of muckyness! Installed some french drains on my property and they are awesome. Nice job Anne!

[@AnneofAllTrades]

Thanks so much! They make a huge difference!

[@WattsWoodenWonders]

Amazing job!!! The animals will love you for it even if they don't realize what you did for them. lol That's a lot of work and a lot of great people right there! Congratulations on the upgrade! Love your videos and I learned a lot from this one for sure! I had never heard of that system before.

[@AnneofAllTrades]

Thanks Bob!

[@TheSteveAS]

So interesting watching you labor to get RID of excess water, while here in California we are trying desperately to KEEP what little water falls from the sky! Love the idea of the retention pond. That will be such a helpful and beautiful addition to your property. Maybe a dock with a view from the tiny house for your Mom? Shout out to Billy Bob for helping you out Annie - friends like that are worth their weight in gold!

[@AnneofAllTrades]

Thanks Steve! That's exactly the plan! We'll direct the water to the pond in front of the tiny house. Once we clean the area up a bit, my mom will have a delightful view from her porch :)

[@benjaminstockton3917]

Anne you did a good job your not out of shape that kind of work is back braking. work thanks fir video's Anne

[@AnneofAllTrades]

Thanks for watching Ben!

[@latherookie]

Wow you are an inspiration. It would be great if more of our young people watched you. They can learn so much. Great Job.

[@mountainviews5025]

Great idea for the farm thumbs up girl we love ya

[@CunninghamWoodWork]

I never really thought about animals needing dry land to walk. Makes sense though. You’re doing a lot for your animals. You can tell you really care about them. Not that I ever doubted it.

[@AnneofAllTrades]

Thanks so much brother! Yep, they do get pretty spoiled. But they are worth it!

[@rawlsawh2804]

Annie with the infectious smile

[@reforzar]

Incredible how much work can get done with the right equipment.

[@AnneofAllTrades]

It’s insane

[@Gabosamu]

You´re an incredible woman!!! Keep up the hard work!

[@tbertw]

Very IMPRESSIVE!!!

[@RRBuildings]

Holy cow....All these machines!! Love the Orange one the best

[@AnneofAllTrades]

Me too :)

[@FigmentsMade]

Santa needs to bring momma an excavator this year! That is such an epic project! I hope the fluffybutts appreciate all the work you're putting into their space. Amazing job!

[@AnneofAllTrades]

I hope santa can fit one in his sleigh. I sure hope they're enjoying it too, it's a mountain of work, but all worth it!

[@danielgeng2306]

Papa needs one too ! My yard is in serious need of a soil and rock relocation program!

[@bking0220]

Thanks for sharing Anne! Gives me some ideas for keeping our barnyard dry as well.

[@leol1682]

Very good job Anne , love the video .

[@AnneofAllTrades]

Thanks Leo!

[@beshamlochan3430]

an amazing job ....love whats going on. on the farm.

[@tonyburelle6633]

Wonderful video, loved seeing you in the excavator, not surprising you took an active role in all aspects, when I first watched the snippets on IG, I was wondering if it were overkill, but I figured you guys certainly know better than I what you're faced with in the rainy season, glad it's working so well, an important project for sure, thanks for sharing, Anne

[@AnneofAllTrades]

Thanks for the support! I try to live by the principle that If you’re going to do something, it’s best to do it the right way the first time. I don’t have time or money to have to go back and redo projects I took shortcuts on previously. My local conservation district made a long term plan for our farm, and I’m knocking off all the projects on the list one at a time.

[@tonyburelle6633]

That's great to have a plan, thanks

[@swdis00]

OMG Anne you are a power girl :) My back started hurting when i saw you shovel all those rocks. :D Nice job. :)

[@niccomaker]

Looks great Anne!

[@AnneofAllTrades]

Thank you!!

[@Evilslayer73]

superbe petite ferme ! la vrai vie :)

[@shaunchapman7138]

nice video ann.

[@dannysantos1266]

So much hard work!

[@yellowmuginc]

Perfect summary! I ♥️ driving tractors too and you look like a pro!

[@stevetyler3016]

Thank God for Heavy Machinery !!!

[@jackiegammon2065]

WOW! Huge project, but with so many benefits down the road! Great that you have friends that are willing to help, and to teach you how to drive equipment... so I'm seeing your skill set grow very quickly.... what's next? Thanks for sharing, as always another great video! :)

[@AnneofAllTrades]

You’ll just have to stay tuned to see 😉

[@thomastieffenbacherdocsava1549]

Now that's an improvement! Nice to have friends with big tools. LOL! I've been following on Instagram. Seems to have solved your problem.

[@AnneofAllTrades]

It really is. I'm really thankful BillyBob could help us fix that problem as it was a big one. I hate it when my animals are in danger of getting sick because of conditions that are fully avoidable with a little sweat equity!

[@FredMcIntyre]

Nice work Anne! 😃👍🏻👊🏻

[@IEnjoyCreatingVideos]

Nice video Anne! Thank you for sharing it with us.👍😎JP

[@cavasinon9182]

French drains, french cleats, french chefs... There's a lot to learn from these froggies :D Nice video and project Anne (and friends)

[@68HC060]

French Balcony, French screws (for fastening roofs), French toast, French hotdog,, French Fries, ...

[@MadofaA]

french letter, french exit, french kiss, french polish, french cheese...

[@Evilslayer73]

un drain francais! excellente idée !terrain sec animaux heureux :)

[@shanepasha6501]

cava sinon -French doors

[@brianmulligan6239]

Awesome video with great music!

[@andries5783]

Great video,You look so cute driving your Kubota

[@AnneofAllTrades]

hahaha thanks!

[@E-Mini]

Cool black car 👍

[@phil.paulastocks2276]

Looking forward to seeing how well that new drainage system works.

[@AnneofAllTrades]

It’s wonderful so far! Where there used to be constant standing water has been bone dry for a month. I’ll post an update later on during the winter when the ground is more saturated.

[@TheReformationWoodshop]

Look at Anne out here living the dream. 😍

[@AnneofAllTrades]

Hahahaha the dream will be getting done with some of these huge projects so there's more snuggle time :)

[@TheReformationWoodshop]

With all those fluffy butts. 😂

[@downhill240]

I really dig this channel!

[@AnneofAllTrades]

Ha! I’m glad to hear it!!

[@kaycox5555]

Awesome, awesome job!!!!

[@dennisdownes9319]

Anne, be glad you live near Seattle. If you were in Rhode Island, each time you dug an old carpet out of the ground, you would probably find an old Mafia mobster rolled up in it! Hahahahah!

[@tayleanruatha]

Dude! Huge high five. Brilliant! This video made my week. cheers

[@samryandesigns8735]

Omg they are awesome and cute! Get it girl!

[@jamesmediallc8933]

Great job Anne!

[@jaxswat7061]

Wow Awesome work . Thanks for sharing

[@2300Kenzie]

That is a great improvement on your property & I'm happy for your critters. You didn't mention much about slope, which seems to be easy to find on your land. I'm putting in a drain in my back yard next year. I also plan to rent a sod cutter to both remove the grass and re-slope the yard to better move water toward the drain. One suggestion, if I may. Like you did regarding future drains, always think of other possibilities. Ten years ago when I put in a water line to the back of my property, I used the same trench to run 3 circuits. One of the circuits is a 3-way that can be controlled from inside the house. I now regret not also running a gas and internet line. I'm planning a small sun room/building in the back yard which would have been nice to have the additional amenities.

[@AnneofAllTrades]

That is true about slope! You want 1/4” every four feet.

[@beltxabeltxa]

Now you need to install some eological heating in the house, the pipes go underground, like big football fields have, and ground heating, Great for you, Thanks for video

[@AnneofAllTrades]

Heck yeah! We will make this a tropical paradise yet! Hahaha

[@beltxabeltxa]

Looks lie paradise already, beautiful, we love out animals too

[@Alyn4220]

Nice job Anne!

[@algrimsey]

Cool video. Thanks for sharing.

[@marcosimonelli2847]

Good job!

[@ayeshajacobs4374]

Thanks for pointing me to this video! I have a question though. With the gravel in that area, does it not make cleaning up poop more difficult?

[@jasondollarhide1363]

Great video!

[@jimjay8828]

Lots and lots of building inspectors 😁👍

[@AnneofAllTrades]

Hahahaha that too! I think Jim was referring to all the animals supervising our work :)

[@jimjay8828]

@@AnneofAllTrades Yes I was 😁

[@Kkuts37]

Anne of ALL trades, indeed! What a great job!! Two thumbs up! :)

[@AnneofAllTrades]

Thanks Kathleen!

[@tj21bem]

Anne, you are amazing. Thank you for your posts... As I watch this video, I can't help but wonder if you have heard about permaculture. I bet you'll love Geoff Lawton and his water harvesting techniques , earthworks, chicken tractors/caravans on steroids, etc.

[@AnneofAllTrades]

Totally! Permaculture is awesome! We have goals to get some pretty fun stuff set up over the next couple years. So far on the farm, since it was in such poor condition when we bought it, it's kind of just been putting out the hottest fire every week, but we are getting to the point infrastructure-wise where we can start doing some more stuff in the next year or so.

[@BarnStangz]

I always thought the the holes are supposed to point down, did you do that? In some spots of the video it is hard to tell.

[@mindseyeproductions8798]

you gained a sub, good info thanks....

[@AnneofAllTrades]

Thank you!

[@ismailjeeawody789]

Great job!

[@johntotten4872]

That miniature donkey is adorable.

[@AnneofAllTrades]

They are the best little creatures in the world!

[@Northern_Farmer]

Anne just givener on her little tractor!!

[@dmndsol]

I love all your furry babies.

[@AnneofAllTrades]

Me too :)

[@joshuablair6120]

Anne - Who makes that hoodie you're wearing? I dig the asymmetrical style of it.

[@billberry557]

I have to say between watching videos by you and ones produced by April I am shocked at the amount of energy you both bring to the camera. It would be and I hope you show a video of the end result during a rain storm or the aftermath of any snow melt you have and how this controls the water. I grew up around horses in Maryland and I know first hand the issue with water always pooling around out buildings and animals have a way just like children of finding a puddle of water stand in. Great job!

[@AnneofAllTrades]

I’ll definitely keep everyone posted! It’s been insanely effective so far, where there used to be standing water, it’s now dry as a bone. It’s incredible.

[@pcicchin]

If you really want a mini-x, I'd recommend either a bobcat e26 (or equivalent) or deere 110tlb loader/hoe (or equivalent)

[@ninanina-sx3pv]

cute animals

[@recutright1]

That old truck keeps showing up in the videos!!!

[@AnneofAllTrades]

Tempting everyone for the first video :)

[@whazee]

Fingers crossed that Adam gets you an excavator for Christmas! 😁👍

[@AnneofAllTrades]

Hahahaha! One can only hope.

[@LeeWolfLittle]

How do you like your Kubota tractor? We love ours! Couldn't work the homestead without it.

[@AnneofAllTrades]

I LOVE IT.

[@mya514]

Wow

[@rustyboltz5304]

You are so lucky your friend April "My favorite Texas woody" and I live in the Texas hill country we have maybe only inches of dirt.

[@AnneofAllTrades]

Probably could save a fortune on delivered rock for the drains then hahaha!

[@Yusufmasron]

like the llamas

[@funkymonkeylovin]

What kind of monster would down vote this video?

[@Gabosamu]

Some brainless jelaous idiot for sure.

[@lisi2012ful]

perfect like 102/0

[@1959ticktock]

A bit of truth - Ann of All Trades isn't afraid of trying anything.

[@lmchoisser]

Anne are using the wool from alpacas?

[@AnneofAllTrades]

Yep! For insulation and keeping some of the good stuff for spinning.

[@wollinger]

I need to know where the llama got the hair cut, do i need to make an appointment?

[@AnneofAllTrades]

Hahahaha yep! Show up in May and you can get yours.

[@stevenschmelling5597]

First thought, dang, there is that 50’s truck again, man does that look nice. Second thought, did I just see a 4 legger wearing high viz? Was that for the machinery operators, or hunters?

[@AnneofAllTrades]

Hahaha actually it was a dinosaur costume.

[@stevenschmelling5597]

Anne of All Trades Oh, wow! How did that not become the still for this video? Future video?

[@thisismeumbass]

Anne of all drains?

[@Mr.Stacey-L-SCC]

The was cool to see, although I don't get the buried carpet. An attempt by previous owners to landscape or was it just burried to dispose of it.

[@AnneofAllTrades]

Yeah it was used over our whole property to “landscape” I’ve found over 300 pieces so far.

[@Mr.Stacey-L-SCC]

Oh wow....I don't know what to say to that other than what were they thinking! @@AnneofAllTrades

[@AnneofAllTrades]

hahaha! My thoughts exactly.

[@bench_doxie]

@@AnneofAllTrades I think your previous owners were friends with my sister's previous homeowner. While adding lights to one room, we found buried in the ceiling (*covered* by the sheet rock) a *live* 5 foot metal office florescent light fixture! The previous owner used it as an electrical junction box! The wiring was 35 feet of heavy-duty power tool cord coiled up and thrown up in the ceiling! Sometimes you have to wonder. BTW, love your videos! :)

[@AnneofAllTrades]

Bench Doxie Woodshop hahaha not surprised about that! Always interested in gossip about the property ;) thanks for the support!!

[@MikeTheMaker1]

Is hoof rot the same as thrush? I've never heard it called hoof rot.

[@AnneofAllTrades]

I think they are similar! They are treaded with the same medicine.

[@justinl9077]

Be careful with that rear attachment on your Kubota tractor. It was dragging a little at the beginning of the video. May wanna remove it when you don't need it. Is it a mower attachment? Beautiful farm and animals.

[@mgmoody42]

How do you have so much buried carpet?

[@AnneofAllTrades]

I think the former owner must have worked at a carpeting company or something and was trying to save disposal fees by dumping it all over.

[@mgmoody42]

Yes, for the pee gravel for the animal's feet! ;-)

[@AnneofAllTrades]

it helps keep their hooves trimmed!

[@Noname-ct5dh]

Me pareces muy atractiva, y con ese burro...a mi parecer soy yo el burrito. jejejejeej. En cuanto al vídeo, parece que instalas un sistema de riego bajo tierra, interesante. Un saludo, Like video.

[@GibClark]

👍👍👍👍

[@nadavhoexter]

"Operated Excavator" - Don't we all need one?

[@AnneofAllTrades]

haha absolutely!

[@BigDaddyOworkshop]

3:46 was this on Halloween? just wondering about the dog in the dinosaur outfit

[@AnneofAllTrades]

Hahaha no, it’s just her warmest sweater, and it was really cold that day.

[@АнатолийТимохин-з9г]

👍

[@beatarcheologzt]

The Lord is proud of you :)

[@williamkurtz4364]

So lucky you don’t have rocks there.

[@AnneofAllTrades]

if we did, we wouldn't have to put in drains!

[@williamkurtz4364]

Anne of All Trades I have both rocks and drains, lol.

[@robertevans6481]

💪👍💪

[@laggypirates]

Was that a dog in a dinosaur costume?

[@AnneofAllTrades]

Hahahaha sure was!

[@andrewpaterson4672]

Who is the un-named female helper?

[@wornstandard9203]

Install French drains then go make some Pizza!!

[@AnneofAllTrades]

YES PLEASE

[@funkymonkeylovin]

Serious question- how many marriage proposals do you get each week?

[@AnneofAllTrades]

Hahahaha! A lot.

[@funkymonkeylovin]

Anne of All Trades Thought so!