When it comes to landscaping projects, grading and drainage are not always the most glamorous. However, they can, at times, be the most valuable investment to make outside your home. Issues such as water drainage near your home and other important places like your well head can lead to significant problems down the line if not properly handled. We are here to fix these problems and will work with you to either tackle the problem head-on or to start with less and build up until all water concerns are addressed. There are ways to make lemonade out of the lemons life throws at you with the layered process of grading and drainage.
The first step in sustainability is a good old-fashioned rain barrel. There is a wide array of options to choose from, both economic and visually pleasing. By making use of a graywater vessel, you are taking a free resource that you can utilize in your landscape, from watering your plant beds to washing your dog. In a rainstorm, your barrel will fill up, and if that barrel is not used right away, there is a potential for overflow. We then can convert your overflow to a French Drain, Rain Garden, Swale, or Bioswale.
French Drains are an effective way to prevent damage to building foundations, soil erosion, and pooling water. Pooling water can be detrimental to landscapes as it can cause roots to rot and mold. To direct water away from a low point in your yard, French Drains are installed to assist in guiding water away to a designated area. As rain accumulates, water tends to flow heavily along the soil's surface, flowing down to the lowest point where a French Drain is installed. The water drains into a gravel topped trench filled with wash stone, where it then flows into a perforated PVC pipe running along the problematic drainage areas. As water fills the cavity, the water rises and catches up into the pipe, where it moves along to a runoff spot. French Drain systems collect water along the entire length of the drain, which gives the best chance at efficiently taking care of drainage problems. We make sure that water is managed appropriately on your property and the end of the PVC pipe lands in an environmentally responsible way. We do this by avoiding sending any runoff into a street or storm sewer and at times collecting any runoff in a Rain Garden or other methods.
Rain Gardens are shallow depressions in a yard, planted with various native deep-rooted flowers, shrubs, and grasses that are chosen specifically as they can survive in drought and soak up moisture if overrun by water. A Rain Garden should be designed into your space specifically. When done well, a Rain Garden can add a flow to your yard, providing both form and function. At Eco Harmony, we have tried to push the boundaries on Rain Gardens by including other facets like dry riverbeds or stonework to make a more interesting feature to look at. Dry riverbeds are effectively a water feature without constant running water and can be accentuated by a low maintenance but aesthetically pleasing decorative stone. They also add contrast and act as an attractive backdrop for the plants chosen in your Rain Garden.
Swales are elongated depressions that help water collect and then move slowly in an intentional direction away from your home, along your driveway, or in an area where water often collects in your yard. They rely on gravity to direct water along a particular path. Swales are sought after by eco-minded homeowners as a water management system. This is because a swale's main job is to control erosion, slow water down as it moves across a slope, and in some cases can direct water to garden beds or Rain Gardens.
Bioswales are aesthetically pleasing elongated depressions that collect, filter, and carry water in a particular direction. Similar to Rain Gardens, Bioswales are enhanced by a diverse assortment of deep-rooted native plants to absorb runoff water and prevent erosion. The native plantings selected also provide a habitat for birds and our local pollinators. After establishing a bioswale, there is little maintenance required aside from watering during times of drought and general tidying as needed.