Bryn Mawr-Skyway Rain Garden Installation Services

A pile of mulch is not a rain garden! To manage stormwater effectively and protect your home from flooding, you need a rain garden designed with the right sizing, soil mix, and drainage solutions. Our team specializes in crafting rain gardens that can handle Bryn Mawr-Skyway’s heavy winter rains while enhancing your landscape.

What’s the Problem?

• Downspouts that drain water directly at your foundation, causing puddles and potential basement issues.
• Side yards that become mini rivers during rainstorms.
• Mulch beds that wash away, leaving silt on your walkways and driveways.
• Incorrectly designed rain gardens that hold water for too long due to poor soil or drainage.

What We Build (function first, beauty follows)

• Properly Sized — We calculate your rain garden’s surface area to be 5–10% of your roof/patio area, tailored to Bryn Mawr-Skyway’s soil conditions.
• Bioretention Soil Mix — A well-draining blend that includes sandy materials topped with 2–3” of arbor mulch—without any landscape fabric in the basins.
• Durable Inlets — Downspout connections leading to a rock splash pad or pipe boot with clean, angular drain rock to prevent cratering.
• Reliable Overflow Solutions — Armored spillways directing water to lawns or dry wells, meeting local code requirements.
• Underdrain for Slow Soils — Perforated pipes in gravel with cleanouts for areas with poor drainage.
• Native Planting — We choose hardy PNW shrubs and perennials that thrive in Bryn Mawr-Skyway’s wet-to-dry climate shifts.
• Easy-to-Maintain Edges — Clean transitions to lawns or flower beds—eliminating confusing slopes.

If your soil infiltrates less than ½” per hour, we’ll adjust our design to include an underdrain.

Our Method (no shortcuts taken)

1. Site Assessment — We analyze grades, map water paths, and ensure the basin is 10’+ from foundations.
2. Infiltration Test — A quick percolation test determines if you need an underdrain.
3. Layout & Utilities — We call 811 to avoid utility lines and ensure compliance with local regulations.
4. Excavate the Basin — We create a flat bottom and gentle side slopes, establishing a check dam/berm with a rock-lined spillway.
5. Soil Installation — We place the bioretention mix and top it with mulch.
6. Piping — Downspout connections use solid pipe, while perforated pipes are placed inside the basin.
7. Planting — Plants are grouped for quick canopy establishment and effective weed suppression.
8. Proof Test — We test the inlet and overflow, documenting the process with photos.

Plant Palette That Thrives Here

For wetter basins: Slough sedge (Carex obnupta), Pacific ninebark (Physocarpus capitatus), Douglas spirea (Spiraea douglasii), red-twig dogwood (Cornus sericea), Oregon iris (Iris tenax), and rush (Juncus spp.).

For banks and slopes: Evergreen huckleberry (Vaccinium ovatum), salal (Gaultheria shallon), sword fern (Polystichum munitum), kinnikinnick (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi), and vine maple (Acer circinatum).

For pollinator-friendly color: Douglas aster (Symphyotrichum subspicatum), native yarrow (Achillea millefolium), and camas (Camassia quamash).

To minimize watering, we plant densely and mulch effectively!

Sizing & Ordering (let’s get the math right)

• Rule of Thumb: Rain garden surface area should be 5–10% of the impervious area it serves.
• Quick Volume Check:
  • 1” of rain on 1,000 sq ft of roof equals ~623 gallons or ~83 cu ft (about 3.1 yd³).
  • A basin with a 6” ponding depth and 40% voids can handle that if sized correctly.
• Bioretention Mix: Plan for ~1–1.5 yd³ per 100 sq ft of basin, depending on depth.
• Rock Requirements: Typically, ¾”–1¼” clean rock is needed for splash pads and underdrains; order 10–15% extra for settling.

Best Timing for Bryn Mawr-Skyway

• Fall to Early Spring: Ideal for installations to ensure roots establish with the rain. We avoid major storms for excavation.
• Summer Work: Fine for installations, but be prepared for extra watering during the first season.

Our Annual Maintenance Plan

• Inlet & Overflow Checks: We clear leaves and debris before major storms.
• Mulch & Weed Control: Maintain a 2–3” depth of mulch and remove invaders before they seed.
• Plant Establishment: Ensure deep watering in the summer of Year 1, tapering as roots develop.
• Sediment Scoops: Remove silt from splash pads to maintain high infiltration rates.

Our goal is to be your low-maintenance landscaping partner. Fewer issues between visits mean less work for you!

Service Cadences

• Quarterly — Fall storm prep, winter/spring checks, and summer touch-ups.
• Bi-Monthly — Ideal for properties with heavy tree litter or steep contributing areas.

(New installs often start monthly for the first 60–90 days, then reduce frequency.)

What Annual Maintenance Includes

• Leaf and seed cleanup at inlets and spillways.
• Mulch top-ups and edge touch-ups for clean lines.
• Plant health assessments and recommendations for fill-ins.
• Underdrain inspections and quick flushes as needed.
• A photo log to show you performance and progress.

Why Annual Maintenance Matters

• Keeps Water Soaking In: Open inlets and fresh mulch ensure high infiltration rates.
• Protects Your Home: Less splash and backflow lead to fewer foundation issues.
• Enhances Curb Appeal: A lush cover leads to fewer weeds and bare patches.
• Saves You Money: Small maintenance tasks are much cheaper than major repairs.

How It Works

1. Free Estimate: We provide estimates via photos/videos or a quick walkthrough.
2. Design Plan: We’ll finalize sizing, soil specs, and plant selection based on your site.
3. Build Day(s): We handle everything from excavation to planting and final tests.
4. Follow-Up: We provide care tips and a tailored maintenance schedule.

Why Bryn Mawr-Skyway Chooses Neat & Tidy

• We’re a local team that understands Bryn Mawr-Skyway’s clay soils and winter rains.
• We are licensed and insured; we call 811 and adhere to local discharge regulations.
• Our pricing is transparent—materials, labor, hauling, and disposal are included.
• We pride ourselves on being punctual and respectful, keeping our work areas clean.
• Our green-first approach emphasizes native plants and sustainable designs.

Ready to transform runoff into a stunning landscape feature?

Call or text Neat & Tidy today! We’ll craft a rain garden that’s perfectly sized, drains effectively, and looks beautiful all year long—so you can enjoy your outdoor space without the hassle. Let us keep it tidy—while you sit back and relax!