Hi Angela,

Thanks for explaining the situation on the ground.

I'd make sure that the water actually ends up in, and hangs around in the swale. If it does, then you are good to go. And you could just plant it!

If the water ends up in the swale, and actually runs down it at a good speed, than you might add some rocks, placed strategically, to slow it down.

If it is already slow, and you like the idea of putting some prettier plantings in the swale, than you might not have to dig at all. Just plant it!

Is that what you are thinking? What is the third photo?

The third picture is the hole where a pipe (covered by muck) drains laundry water from the house. It lays several feet below the area I want to use for my rain garden. I hope this will not affect my plan to put a rain garden nearby.

I definitely intend to add some strategically placed rocks to damper the flow of the water in that area. Thanks, this is a very exciting project!

I have changed my site to the other side of the house--roof line. This area will be more manageable for my first rain garden project.

Here are my new site pics!

The flower pot in the above photo is sitting on a tree stump. I will have that removed.

Hi! My name is Catie and I work with Susan in the Rain Garden Assistance Program. I'm a Master Rain Gardener as well. This spot, closer to your (very cute!) house looks like a more manageable spot! Will you be removing the stones to place the rain garden? Make sure that your rain garden site is at least 10' away from your house. It looks like a sunny spot- I bet baptisia would look beautiful! If you are trying to get more shade around your home you could plant a tree or two as well. Redbud and Sycamore do well in rain gardens.

Yes Catie, I will remove all the stones as well as dig up the remaining tree stumps. Thanks for your comments.

That will look great- and it looks like you will be infiltrating half of your roof runoff! Fabulous! You could use the stones to make the berm look more formal. I've seen people stack thin stones like that to make an interesting looking mini-wall. Where will your overflow be?

This is the basic layout of my home landscape

This is the area in which I will put the rain garden.

These are the plants and the layout for the rain garden.

I already have both sensitive and cinnamon ferns as well as the iris. I hope the other plants are not too difficult to find.

Looks good! I would make sure you buy a cultivar of the New England Aster. It gets tall, and kind of gangly otherwise. But there are some nice cultivars that stay shorter. If you do end up getting the straight native, just cut it down in June - even several times won't affect its health or blooming time.

Otherwise looks great!!!

I have finally removed the pavers and debris :)

Yea! Wow, look what a nice planting area that is!