This water is mainly from snow melt. It’s created somewhat of a pond. It’s the lowest point on our property, so all snow melt in the yard runs to this spot. Our house is a decent distance from this area so I don’t think it’s a rain/roof/ driveway runoff issue. Our driveway actually points the opposite way from this area into a culvert already.
What can we do about this area? Would a rain garden do well here? Zone 5a, Alaska. Help 🥲
by swish_swish_stab
8 Comments
what is under here? is there a utility or a septic or…
if nothing, plant some marsh plants that will lve this, and dig one area deeper to be a year round wildlife pond!
We’re in the middle of putting in a rain garden now and it’s turned into a much bigger project than we anticipated 😭 for a rain garden to be effective it needs to have a percolation rate of at least 0.5 inch per hour. If it doesn’t have that you need to amend the soil and that’s going to be a big undertaking for an area that large. I think you might have success just broadcasting a good wildflower mix this fall and letting the plants slow the runoff. Not a « true » rain garden but would help a lot.
A French drain may be another option. I’m unfamiliar with gardening in your area, but research carefully to make sure that the timing is right so that the flooding happens just as the plants need the water. Have a plan for how you’ll water them in later months.
Another idea is to stop fighting fate and turn it into a full-fledged pond. Be sure to include a solar fountain to keep the water moving and avoid mosquito eggs.
Think twice about a pond, this is seem like a seasonal ponds come and go, try to make it a permanent pond without constant flow of water will only invite all kind of misfortune.
Looks like it’s already a functional rain garden. Amy exacation here will likely result in the tree needing to be removed.
I would call you local extension service. Your local master gardeners will have someone who is a fanatic for these kinds of problems and give you some great options. I’ve been gardening in shorts for a month, so WTF would I know about 5a gardening?
Beth Chatto has a series of books on gardening in different environments.
Brother that is the rain garden.