Rain Garden Installation Services in Mercer Island

Let’s clear the air: a pile of mulch just doesn’t cut it when it comes to a proper rain garden! If you want to effectively manage stormwater and prevent water from pooling on your walkways or seeping into your basement, you need a well-designed rain garden that incorporates the right sizing, soil mix, and drainage solutions. Our Neat & Tidy Landscaping team specializes in building rain gardens that are not just functional, but also beautiful—capable of handling Mercer Island’s heavy winter rains while thriving through the summer months.

What Challenges Are We Solving?

• Downspouts dumping water directly at your foundation, creating unsightly puddles and musty basements.
• Side yards that transform into rivers at the slightest drizzle.
• Mulch beds that wash away, leaving silt and debris scattered across your sidewalks and steps.
• “Rain gardens” that become stagnant ponds due to poor soil choices or insufficient overflow methods.

What We Create (functionality meets beauty)

• Expert Sizing — Our rain gardens are strategically sized to be 5–10% of your roof or patio area, tailored specifically to your soil’s infiltration rate.
• Bioretention Soil Mix — We use a high-quality, well-draining blend of soil topped with 2–3” of organic mulch, ensuring no messy topsoil mixtures in sight.
• Robust Inlets — We connect downspouts to a rock splash pad or pipe boot using clean, angular drain rock to prevent cratering and erosion.
• Dependable Overflow Solutions — Our designs include armored spillways that direct excess water to lawns, dry wells, or dispersion trenches, all compliant with local regulations.
• Underdrain for Slow-Draining Soils — For properties with clay or compacted soils, we incorporate perforated pipes in gravel with cleanouts and solid-pipe outlets.
• Native Plant Selection — We choose hardy Pacific Northwest shrubs and perennials that not only survive but thrive in our region’s fluctuating wet and dry seasons.
• Maintenance-Friendly Edges — We create smooth transitions to lawns, paths, or flower beds, eliminating any awkward slopes.

Keep in mind: if your soil infiltrates less than ½” per hour, we’ll plan for an underdrain or adjust our strategy accordingly.

Our Installation Process (no shortcuts here)

1. Site Assessment & Elevation Mapping — We evaluate your property’s grades, map water flow patterns, and identify legal discharge points, ensuring the basin is at least 10 feet from foundations.
2. Infiltration Testing — A quick percolation test helps us determine if you’ll need an underdrain or if an infiltrate-only system will suffice.
3. Layout & Utilities Planning — We call 811 to avoid major roots and utility lines, ensuring everything is done safely and legally.
4. Excavation — We dig out the basin to create a level bottom and gentle slopes, constructing a check dam/berm with a rock-lined spillway.
5. Soil Installation — We add the custom bioretention mix, finishing with mulch (never any landscape fabric in the basin).
6. Piping — Connections for downspouts utilize solid pipe, while perforated pipes are placed only inside the basin or underdrain with accessible cleanouts.
7. Planting — Plants are grouped for quick canopy establishment and effective weed suppression.
8. Proof Testing — We conduct a hose test on the inlet and overflow, documenting everything with photos for your records.

Plant Palette Tailored for Mercer Island

For wetter areas: Slough sedge (Carex obnupta), Pacific ninebark (Physocarpus capitatus), Douglas spirea (Spiraea douglasii), red-twig dogwood (Cornus sericea), Oregon iris (Iris tenax), and various rushes (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 vibrant pollinator-friendly blooms: Douglas aster (Symphyotrichum subspicatum), native yarrow (Achillea millefolium), and camas (Camassia quamash).

Want to keep watering to a minimum? We size, plant densely, and mulch effectively—it’s a winning strategy!

Sizing & Ordering (let’s get it right)

• General Guideline: The rain garden surface area should be 5–10% of the impervious area it serves.
• Volume Estimation:
  • 1” of rain on a 1,000 sq ft roof equals approximately 623 gallons or ~83 cu ft (about 3.1 yd³).
  • A basin designed with a 6” ponding depth and 40% voids can efficiently manage that volume if properly sized.
• Bioretention Soil Requirements: Plan for ~1–1.5 yd³ per 100 sq ft of basin area, depending on desired depth.
• Rock Needs: We typically require ¾”–1¼” clean rock for splash pads and underdrains; ordering 10–15% extra is advisable for settling.

Optimal Timing for Mercer Island

• Fall to Early Spring: This is the prime time for installations to ensure your plants establish well during the rainy season. We aim to avoid heavy storm weeks for excavation.
• Summer Installations: These are possible, but anticipate extra watering during the initial season to help plants get established.

Our Comprehensive Maintenance Plan

• Inlet & Overflow Checks: We clear leaves and debris before the first big fall storm hits.
• Mulch & Weed Management: We maintain a 2–3” depth of mulch and tackle any weeds before they can spread.
• Plant Health Monitoring: We ensure thorough watering during the first summer, tapering off as the roots develop.
• Sediment Removal: We professionally scoop out silt from splash pads to maintain high infiltration rates.

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

Service Cadences

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

(New installations often start with monthly visits for the first 60–90 days, then frequency can be reduced.)

What Our Annual Maintenance Covers

• Cleanup of leaves and seeds at inlets and spillways.
• Mulch replenishment and edge maintenance for pristine lines.
• Plant health assessments and suggestions for fill-ins.
• Underdrain and cleanout inspections, with immediate flushes as needed.
• A photo log to keep you updated on performance and blooming progress.

Why Annual Maintenance is Essential

• Maintains Water Infiltration: Clear inlets and fresh mulch ensure optimal absorption rates.
• Protects Your Home: Reduces splash and backflow, safeguarding your foundation from damage.
• Boosts Curb Appeal: A healthy, dense cover minimizes weeds and bare patches.
• Saves You Money: Proactive maintenance tasks are far less costly than major repairs or replacements.

Our Process

1. Free Estimate: We can provide a quote through photos/videos or a quick walkthrough, ensuring transparent pricing—no hidden fees!
2. Design Plan: We’ll finalize the sizing, soil specifications, and plant selection tailored to your site and local regulations.
3. Build Day(s): Our team manages everything from excavation, piping, soil placement, rock installation, to planting, finishing with tests and clean touches.
4. Follow-Up Care: We provide simple care tips and a tailored maintenance schedule designed just for you.

Why Mercer Island Residents Choose Neat & Tidy

• We’re a local team that knows Mercer Island’s clay soils, winter rains, and tight alleyways.
• We are licensed and insured; we adhere to local regulations and always call 811.
• Our pricing is transparent—materials, labor, hauling, and disposal are included in our estimates.
• We pride ourselves on being punctual, respectful, and keeping our work areas tidy.
• Our eco-friendly approach emphasizes native plants, infiltration-focused designs, and minimal waste.

Ready to turn stormwater into a beautiful landscape feature?

Call or text Neat & Tidy today! We’ll create a rain garden that’s perfectly sized, drains efficiently, and looks stunning all year round—so you can enjoy your outdoor space without the worries. Let us keep it neat and tidy while you kick back and relax!