Expert Rain Garden Installation Services in Normandy Park

Let’s set the record straight: a pile of mulch is definitely not a rain garden! If you’re looking to effectively manage stormwater and prevent flooding issues on your property, you need a well-designed rain garden that incorporates proper sizing, soil mix, and drainage solutions. Our dedicated team specializes in creating rain gardens that not only handle the heavy winter rains of Normandy Park but also look beautiful throughout the summer months!

The Challenges We Address

• Problematic Downspouts: Water pouring right at your foundation can lead to puddles and musty basements.
• Flooded Side Yards: Heavy rains can transform your side yard into a mini river.
• Eroding Mulch Beds: Without proper drainage, mulch can wash away, leaving silt on your sidewalks and stairs.
• Ineffective Rain Gardens: Incorrect soil or design can leave your rain garden holding water for days.

What We Build: Functionality Meets Aesthetics

• Customized Sizing: We calculate the perfect surface area for your rain garden, typically 5–10% of your roof/patio area, based on your soil’s infiltration rate.
• Bioretention Soil Mix: We utilize a sandy, well-draining blend topped with 2–3” of arbor mulch, avoiding messy topsoil soup.
• Durable Inlets: Our downspout connections feature rock splash pads or pipe boots that help prevent cratering.
• Reliable Overflow Solutions: We install armored spillways leading to lawns or dry wells to meet regulatory requirements.
• Underdrain for Slow Soils: In cases where your soil doesn’t drain quickly, we incorporate perforated pipes in gravel with access cleanouts.
• Native Plant Selection: We carefully choose hardy PNW plants that thrive through the varying wet and dry seasons.
• Maintenance-Friendly Edges: We create clean transitions to your lawn, paths, or flower beds—no mysterious slopes to manage!

Just a heads-up: if your soil infiltrates less than ½” per hour, we’ll adjust our strategy to include an underdrain. No wishful thinking here!

Our Proven Process: No Shortcuts, Just Quality

1. Site Assessment & Elevations: We evaluate grades, map water paths, identify legal discharge points, and ensure the basin is 10’+ from your foundation.
2. Infiltration Test: A percolation test helps us determine if you’re infiltrate-only or need an underdrain.
3. Layout & Utilities: We reach out to call 811 to avoid disrupting major roots and utility lines.
4. Excavate the Basin: We create a flat bottom and gentle side slopes, installing a check dam/berm with a rock-lined spillway.
5. Soil Installation: We place the bioretention mix and top it off with mulch—no landscape fabric in the basin!
6. Piping: Downspout connections utilize solid pipe, while perforated pipes are placed inside the basin/underdrain with easy access cleanouts.
7. Planting: We group plants for quick canopy establishment and effective weed suppression.
8. Proof Test: We conduct a hose test on the inlet and overflow, documenting everything with photos before wrapping up.

Plant Palette That Thrives in Normandy Park

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 various rushes (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 a pop of color that attracts pollinators: Douglas aster (Symphyotrichum subspicatum), native yarrow (Achillea millefolium), and camas (Camassia quamash).

Want to minimize watering? We size, plant densely, and mulch—it’s an unbeatable combination!

Sizing & Ordering: Let’s Get the Math Right

• Rule of Thumb: Your rain garden’s 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 accommodate that if sized correctly.
• Bioretention Mix: Plan for ~1–1.5 yd³ per 100 sq ft of basin, depending on the depth.
• Rock Requirements: We typically need ¾”–1¼” clean rock for splash pads and underdrains; order 10–15% extra for settling.

Best Timing for Normandy Park Installations

• Fall to Early Spring: This is the prime time for installations to ensure roots establish well with the rain. We avoid major storm weeks for excavation.
• Summer Work: Summer installations are feasible, but be ready 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 invaders before they can seed.
• Plant Establishment Care: 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 optimal infiltration rates.

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

Service Cadences Tailored to You

• Quarterly — Includes 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.)

Annual Maintenance Benefits

• 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 document performance and blooming progress.

Why Annual Maintenance Matters

• Enhances Water Infiltration: Open inlets and fresh mulch ensure high infiltration rates.
• Safeguards Your Home: Less splash and backflow means fewer issues at your foundation.
• Boosts 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 through photos/videos or a quick walkthrough, ensuring clear pricing—no surprises!
2. Design Plan: We’ll work out sizing, soil specs, and plant selection based on your site and local regulations.
3. Build Day(s): We take care of 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 Normandy Park Chooses Neat & Tidy

• We’re a local team that understands clay soils, winter rains, and the unique challenges of Normandy Park.
• 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 stormwater into a stunning landscape feature?

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