Gentle terraces, rain gardens, and better downspout routing protect your foundation and look beautiful.
Start with flow
- Extend downspouts 6–10’ away from the house
- Create a shallow swale (grassy trough) to steer water across the yard, not down it
Terraces (small and DIY-friendly)
Two low 8–12″ terraces beat one tall wall. Use block designed for walls; backfill with gravel for drainage.
Rain garden planting list
- Black-eyed Susan, blue flag iris, joe-pye weed, switchgrass
- Edge with river rock to slow runoff; mulch with shredded hardwood
Driveway & sump discharge
Direct sump outlets to a splash zone of rock, then into lawn or a dry well (where allowed).
Local Notes
- Check local stormwater guidelines before altering drainage or adding walls.
- Call 811 before digging to locate utilities.
