Newcastle Rain Garden Installation Services

Let’s clear up a common misconception: a pile of mulch is not a rain garden! If you’re looking to effectively manage stormwater and avoid flooding your walkways or basements, you need a rain garden designed with the right sizing, soil mix, and drainage solutions. At Neat & Tidy, we specialize in creating rain gardens that can handle Newcastle’s heavy winter rains while remaining stunning throughout the summer.

What’s the Problem?

• Downspouts that dump water right at your foundation, leading to puddles and musty basements.
• Side yards that transform into mini rivers each time it rains.
• Mulch beds washing away, leaving silt on your sidewalks and stairs.
• “Rain gardens” that pool water for days due to incorrect soil or lack of overflow.

What We Build (function first, beauty follows)

• Properly Sized — We determine your rain garden’s surface area to be 5–10% of your roof or patio area, customized to your soil’s infiltration rate.
• Bioretention Soil Mix — A sandy, well-draining blend (no messy topsoil soup here) topped with 2–3” of arbor mulch—and we never use landscape fabric in the basins.
• Durable Inlets — Downspout connections to a rock splash pad or pipe boot using clean, angular drain rock to prevent cratering.
• Reliable Overflow Solutions — Armored spillways leading to lawns, dry wells, or dispersion trenches that comply with code requirements.
• Underdrain for Slow Soils — Perforated pipes in gravel with cleanouts and solid-pipe outlets for soils that don’t drain quickly.
• Native Planting — We choose resilient PNW shrubs and perennials that thrive in our wet-to-dry climate shifts.
• Easy-to-Maintain Edges — Clean transitions to lawns, paths, or flower beds—no mysterious slopes to navigate.

Just so you know: if your soil infiltrates less than ½” per hour, we’ll plan for an underdrain or adjust our design accordingly. No wishful thinking here!

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 whether 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 only 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 wrapping 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 Newcastle

• Fall to Early Spring: This is the ideal window for installations to ensure roots establish well with the rain. We avoid major storm weeks for excavation.
• Summer Work: Summer installations are fine, but be prepared for extra watering during the first season.

Our Annual Maintenance Plan

• Inlet & Overflow Checks: We clear leaves and debris before the first major fall storm.
• Mulch & Weed Control: We maintain a 2–3” depth of mulch and remove any pesky invaders before they go to seed.
• Plant Establishment: We ensure deep watering in the summer of Year 1, tapering off as roots develop.
• Sediment Scoops: We 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 — Perfect 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 far cheaper than major repairs or replacements.

How It Works

1. Free Estimate: We can 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 Newcastle Chooses Neat & Tidy

• We’re a local team that understands clay soils, winter rains, and the unique challenges of Newcastle properties.
• We are licensed and insured; we call 811 and strictly adhere 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!