I had too many characters in og post so this is what I had.

Hi there

We have about an acre. Viewing from the street, it slopes
from the front with the lowest part being the far left corner of our backyard
and an area that floods and breeds mosquitoes. But, it’s also one of the
loveliest when it’s dry. We haven’t done much more than mow it in over 10
years. I decided to get to know my yard this year and (try to) teach myself to
garden. I hear it takes years to really get to know and manage your yard so,
the goal for this year is to minimize the pests hoping that next year it’s at least
tolerable for majority of the year. I have plans to get a few bat houses and
spray garlic regularly. But it’s landscaping this area (the entire property)
that’s giving me a complex. Given the shade, mosquito issues, and flooding what
would you recommend?

Every time I find a possible solution, I hit a wall. I’m
trying to add several pics – area through the seasons, different views, and
additional info. It’s a beautiful day still so I might be able to get a few
more. And questions I can answer within the half-hour/hour. Thanks so much!

What grows here:
- Hair Cap Moss
- A few types of Oak and pine trees
- Gumball trees (but those are coming down)
- weeds, weeds, and more weeds

What I think I want:
- Dry Creek Bed
- As much color as possible
- Privacy
- possibly a sitting area
- retain as much water as possible
- water feature
-keep it shady and park like

Also there is nothing I am set in stone over. thx! = )

Snark not intended; but you're not looking at the periodic flooding as a "water feature" are you?

Hey there, umm no. if I understand you right. But I'm not opposed to creating something with a water feature (nothing crazy) that turns that flooding into something pretty to look at while it's that way. It's not water that stands for weeks but it will for days.
- Is it just a slow day or can you give me any tips on how to get more answers, or just maybe confirm this is a patience game.

Thanks!

Aspiring,

It is bad that the water collects in your yard like that. That is not a good situation. I don't think you understand it at all. You can't garden anything until you fix that so the water doesn't sit like that for days. You will have to have a professional come look at that after it rains, so he can see exactly what the situation is.

What is behind your yard? In the woods? Is there a creek back there that overflows? Is that why the water is that high and doesn't drain off for days? DAYS. That has to be corrected.

If you do nothing at all, just get that drainage situation fixed. Seriously.

Good Luck to you.

.

Other than the stated issues, there is no serious damage. YES. that's a forest behind my backyard. No creek. It's NOT a regular occurrence each year but that's about the worst of it..which was several years ago. We have about 90% continued usage. And no one is in any danger of losing ...anything, other than a bit of soil.

Please, I'm of decent intelligence, moderate monetary ability, reasonably polite, and currently enjoying an abundance of time/energy. And, on occasion, I'm allowed the borrowed time of a few muscular men. We are renting some yard equipment soon and I might can include an excavator. Trees should come down this week. During my internet research (in case it doesn't yet seem I'm putting in a lot of effort to figure out what I can do with what I have) I have seen ideas (lots in these forums) for both retaining the water and draining it. I'm interested/open to both. My yard attracts so much wildlife, I don't want to mess that up. We have always had bumble bees and intermittently over the years have had clusters of fireflies, when no one I know still gets them.

Now that I've shared, in my pov, entirely tmi I'd be grateful to any design ideas or responses that, at least, idk...but there has to be a better way of approaching the conversation. Thx.

Hi there stolenidentity,

Thanks! That's def. the direction we are going. I've been toying with something like a converted pool/pond with it's own bog for filtration. But when we don't add water or it isn't flooded (for lack of a better reference) the border rocks double as some sort of park/campfire like setting. It was thinking about a water retention system that sent me in that direction, cause as of yet we wouldn't use it for drinking water but I'd like something my pack 'o pups can play in and drink and we can enjoy like a water feature and I can water what plants I don't kill. With Natives for the landscaping. Or even some sort of thin canal (trough like)/retention wall that leads to a solar powered fountain surrounded by a dry creek/bog with something like what my partner calls a sump pump. So that I'm not (if it doesn't work) making things worse. Thanks you so much, I did some googling after your response and got some good ideas!

Hi there - new here. Have you researched rain gardens? Here in the PNW they are very popular and help with flooding.

Does the occasional flooding leave a muddy mess in that part of the yard? If so, I would plan just a simple dirt-floored seating area/fire pit that can be hosed down after the flooding recedes. You may be able to grow plants that can handle the flooding/dry cycle. Does the area outside of your property flood as well or is this a low area? The snake and mosquito hazard would make me want to find a way to drain this faster.

Once the trees are down, you'll need to re-evaluate the sun that the area receives prior to choosing plants.

Hey there stephanj

I have also seen some very enviable rain gardens and I'd love one but I keep blanking on placement. Can anyone confirm if a rain garden has to be planted in the sun (it's what I hear, which makes me wonder how to balance it out in the shade)?

Hey there PKponder TX

It just started little patches of slick muddy leftover yuck around where we set that decking under the trees. "..just a simple dirt-floored seating area/fire pit that can be hosed down after the flooding recedes." - minus the firepit, only because we have one off the deck and I'm adding another on the red brick (seen on left side of last photo), I have a feeling this is the final direction I'm headed (still crossing my fingers I'll find a way to do more). I just kinda wanted more whimsy, I've never done anything like this and it's by far the largest sq.footage I've ever had to personally roam.
Lucky us, our corner seems to retain the majority of the water. Yes, the mosquito factor is really what makes me feel desperate. Plenty of chemicals I can use but I really do love all my wildlife. I hate to say it but even some (very few) of the snakes. We get field mice, rabbits, and all sorts of other stuff that works together in a predator/prey (Owls - I love the Owls!) type relationship. (I'd just like to push them further out back into the forest.) I'm thinking when we cut those trees even worse case flooding won't be nearly as bad as in my flooded image. Maybe it's because I know nothing about this stuff but, that's what made me think doing something with the area would finally be a possibility if I maneuver carefully. We'll see, asking this question got an interesting convo between the honey and I going, it already feels like his wheels are turning in my direction!

Thanks y'all so much! = )

Hey there stolenidentity

Wow, thanks - those are awesome! Yes, it just screams pond or occasional pond, and I'll take either gleefully. I think I'm going to try for a mini version of one of (the first one! ha!) those in there. Awe, well...we had a bunch of fireflies the first few summers and I hadn't seen any in years; the day we found this property we had to break for a peacock; and the last few years we have had a male barn owl attract his mate, start a family, and return this past year. I'm just trying not to mess it all up. I'll def. try to post some updates but progress is moderately slow. Thanks again! = )

Luck You! I've gotten half a wing in a picture before and that was it! lol. So mesmerizing.

Beware! You cannot remove post photos (comments are diff) once you have posted them. For anyone who's looking to get advice and post on this site. IMO, it was hard to get any good advice and not worth posting the amount of images that I've seen people request on here (Not to knock the advice I got). Thought starting the post with lots of images would help, it didn't. Post 'em in the comments if you add images. G'Luck.

what? not sure what I'm supposed to beware of. Getting useful advice on internet forums is often chancy. You just hope for the best, do your research, and don't rely on just one source.

violetwest
Beware that you cannot remove the images you put in a post. You can however in the comments. So why can't you edit the images in a post? And if that's the case, why isn't it obvious. (it's not necessarily a common website or forum restriction.) There are still lots of people and lots of other reasons to make this available. And as it turns out it doesn't take much coding if any at all to add. I made a mistake when I posted and put images that I would have preferred remove once this post is no longer relevant. Why? Well, cause I should be able to do what I want with my images. (And yes I realize, I made the mistake.) Had I known the stipulations before hand or done any sleuthing I may have noticed and NEVER posted at all. Or simply swapped the images to the comments instead of posting them in the post with my question. But...I was excited to share and although I don't have an issue with the advice I got, it didn't need all the images I posted to get. I guess I'm just not like everyone else...I don't post pics of my belongings everywhere and was disappointed. I'm allowed to be. If you don't get it then don't beware.

I agree the images are a problem that way -- I've had to start over with a post when I didn't like the pic I uploaded. Don't know why -- you used to be able to delete them as you go.

I think you can request your post be deleted using the "contact us" link below

hey there violetwest
I tried. It was a no go. I don't mind leaving the post but not fond of leaving the images (especially after the weird -to me- exchanges.). I got the no go before the post you replied too. Might have even stuck around but, it's just not worth it too me personally. ehh.

You said that you were thinking of something more whimsical. Do you mean in the way of a whimsical plant or garden art or a combo of all of them?


I don't use pesticides or herbicides unless I have no other choice. Fortunately there are many other choices :-) I absolutely support the wild critters as long as they stay outside.

Let me just mention a couple of thing that you may or may not find helpful.
The Texas (you did say east Texas, maybe?) Gardening Forum folks would be better at suggesting actual plants. We've got members from that area that looove plants and are happy to share what works for them.

Gardening in Texas


Have you ever browsed the 'Garden Junk' forum? It's not all my taste, but I have seen some really clever garden art projects there.

Garden Junk

This is a great forum, but sometimes regional or subject matter type forums might get you closer to your goal in the manner that you are expecting.

I was completely floored by the extent of flooding in your proposed garden area and what I see as a problem, you may view as an asset. I'm sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable.

Hey PKponder TX

The first two exchanges were what I was referencing. (I expected criticism, but after checking out the forums before hand and with all my effort I figured it'd be more constructive.)

Thanks! I hadn't seen the Junk one, I'll def. check out those forums; I just don't think contributing here further is for me. Mostly for the photo thing, but more so because I'd rather just get back outside and figure out what I'm gonna do after all.

Just an observer, mainly, not an expert at all, but I think maybe the reason you haven't gotten the kind of feedback you're looking for is because this looks like a bigger issue than can be diagnosed in an online forum. It depends not only on conditions on your property, but also on conditions beyond your property, which can't be seen. You may need someone with experience in drainage and grading to walk the property and see what needs to be done. It's a really lovely spot. Hope you're able to find a solution that works for you.

Some plants are tolerant of occasional flooding. Use those plants in that area.

I'm just going to chime in here and say that:

What if it floods the day before/ day-of your wedding?

If the drainage isn't addressed, this is a possibility that you need to take into account on a very important day.