Good tips, deeper pit definitely helps. Curious though, did you notice any issues with drainage after digging deeper? I've seen some pits turn into mini ponds after heavy rain...
I went a bit deeper with mine too and honestly, drainage hasn't been much of an issue...yet. But, it probably depends on your soil type. If you've got heavy clay, yeah, you're basically digging yourself a little pond after a big storm, haha. I made sure to toss some gravel at the bottom of mine just in case, and it seems to help water drain away pretty fast. Did you line yours with anything, or is it just bare dirt? A buddy of mine left his bare and after heavy rains, it became a frog spa overnight. Funny at first, but not exactly ideal when you want to roast marshmallows.
I didn't line mine either, just gravel at the bottom and bare dirt sides. Haven't had frogs yet, but after heavy rain it does get a bit mushy...maybe I should've added sand or something? Curious if anyone tried that and noticed a difference.
I went the sand route with mine—just a thin layer under the gravel—and it definitely helped with drainage. Before that, heavy rain turned it into a muddy mess, kinda like yours. Now it's still damp after storms, but not nearly as mushy. Frogs still visit occasionally, though...guess they like the warmth or something. Anyway, sand might be worth a shot if you decide to tweak yours later on.
"Frogs still visit occasionally, though...guess they like the warmth or something."
Haha, frogs seem to show up everywhere there's moisture—I swear they're drawn to fire pits like moths to a flame (or frogs to a flame?). Anyway, sand under gravel is smart for drainage. I'd also recommend checking your gravel type too; some compact way tighter, trapping water. Switched mine to slightly larger stones last year and noticed a big improvement in drainage and drying time after heavy rains. Worth considering if you're still dealing with soggy ground issues later on.
