Capitol Hill Rain Garden Installation Services

Let’s get one thing straight: a pile of mulch is not a rain garden! If you want to manage stormwater effectively and prevent it from flooding your walkways or basements, you need a rain garden designed specifically for Capitol Hill’s climate. Our team specializes in creating rain gardens that can handle the neighborhood’s heavy winter rains while looking stunning all summer long.

What’s the Problem?

• Downspouts pouring water directly at your foundation, leading to puddles and musty basements.
• Side yards transforming into mini rivers with every rain.
• Mulch beds washing away, leaving silt on your sidewalks and stairs.
• “Rain gardens” that hold water for days due to incorrect soil or lack of overflow.

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 for Capitol Hill’s soil infiltration rates.
• Bioretention Soil Mix — A sandy, well-draining blend topped with 2–3” of arbor mulch—no messy topsoil soup here!
• Durable Inlets — Downspout connections to a rock splash pad with clean, angular drain rock to prevent cratering.
• Reliable Overflow Solutions — Armored spillways leading to lawns or dispersion trenches that meet local code requirements.
• Underdrain for Slow Soils — Perforated pipes in gravel with cleanouts for when your soil doesn’t drain quickly.
• Native Planting — We choose hardy PNW shrubs and perennials thriving in Capitol Hill’s wet-to-dry climate shifts.
• Easy-to-Maintain Edges — Clean transitions to lawns, paths, or flower beds—no mysterious slopes to deal with.

Just so you know: if your soil infiltrates less than ½” per hour, we’ll plan for an underdrain or adjust our strategy.

Our Method (no shortcuts taken)

1. Site Assessment & Elevations — We analyze grades, map water paths, identify legal discharge points, and ensure the basin is 10’+ from foundations.
2. Infiltration Test — A quick percolation check determines if you’re infiltrate-only or need to add an underdrain.
3. Layout & Utilities — We call 811 to avoid major roots and essential utility lines unless we have proper permits.
4. Excavate the Basin — We create a flat bottom and gentle side slopes, setting up a check dam/berm with a rock-lined spillway.
5. Soil Installation — We place the bioretention mix and top it off with mulch (never any landscape fabric in the basin).
6. Piping — Downspout connections use solid pipe, while perforated pipes are placed inside the basin/underdrain, with accessible cleanouts.
7. Planting — Plants are grouped together for quick canopy establishment and effective weed suppression.
8. Proof Test — We hose test the inlet and overflow, taking photos for documentation before we finish up.

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 side 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).

Want to minimize watering? We size, plant densely, and mulch—it’s a winning formula!

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: We typically need ¾”–1¼” clean rock for splash pads and underdrains; order 10–15% extra for settling.

Best Timing for Capitol Hill

• Fall to Early Spring: Ideal for installations to ensure roots establish with the rain. We avoid major storm weeks for excavation.
• Summer Work: Summer installations are fine, but expect extra watering during the first season.

Our Annual Maintenance Plan

• Inlet & Overflow Checks: We clear leaves and debris before the first big fall storm.
• Mulch & Weed Control: Maintain a 2–3” depth of mulch and remove any invaders before they go to seed.
• Plant Establishment: Ensure deep watering in the first summer, tapering off 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 problems between visits mean less work for you!

Service Cadences

• Quarterly — Fall storm prep, winter/spring checks, and summer tidy-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, crisp lines.
• Plant health assessments and recommendations for fill-ins.
• Underdrain and cleanout inspections, with quick flushes as needed.
• A photo log to show you the performance and blooming 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 means fewer issues at your foundation.
• Enhances Curb Appeal: A lush, dense cover leads to fewer weeds and bare patches.
• Saves You Money: Small maintenance tasks are much cheaper than major repairs or replacements.

How It Works

1. Free Estimate: We provide an estimate via photos/videos or a quick walkthrough, with clear pricing—no surprises!
2. Design Plan: We’ll work out the sizing, soil specs, and plant selection based on your site and local regulations.
3. Build Day(s): We handle everything from excavation, piping, soil placement, rock installation, planting, to final tests and clean finishes.
4. Follow-Up: We provide simple care tips and a tailored maintenance schedule that fits your needs.

Why Capitol Hill Chooses Neat & Tidy

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

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!