Flooding

QuestionMy backyard has a low area that repeatedly floods. Researching for solutions all suggest drainage tubing, berms, swells, ditches, etc. Due to the small size of my yard,the proximity of my neighbors, and the

plants that absorb lots of water!

QuestionHello, I live in zone 5 (Chicago) and have a back yard which floods in one area when the rain is heavy. This is an area that is shaded by trees. We have installed a drain, but I was hoping there

wet double-sloping backyard

Question best view of slope My backyard is a tall slope that goes from right to left as well as from back towards the front. And we are not at the highest point of either of these slopes. We discovered theres is an

covering a retaining wall

QuestionQUESTION: I live in zone 9. Can you suggest a low maintenance plant that will cover an ugly retaining wall on the corner of my property. I can only plant it at the top of the wall and hope it wil

In need Of Grass

QuestionHello, My husband and I have a house in southeast Texas on what used to be part of a horse pasture, the ground is very Strange in that it is extremely SOFT, you sink when you walk on it, it almost looks like

wet yard

QuestionAt the back of my yard i have a small brook,my yard gets sun all day.When i cut the grass (mostly weed)it always seams damp no matter what time of day.when it rains it seams to hold water for a while.W

Concrete work

QuestionQUESTION: Hello, I plan to have my concrete sidewalk redone around my house (specifically in the back yard). My family and I have made some upgrades in our back yard (new patio, gate,) and now our sid

heavy rains flood lowest part of yard(our home)

Question rain pooling Hello.Our home sits on the lowest part of the property. When it rains very hard in a short period of time,the water flows down from the backyard,under the fence and puddles up on the side of th

BACKYARD IS SLOPING AND WET

QuestionHello, we purchased a home last summer and the backyard area has a small slope to it. We have a shed in the sloped area and when it rains, the area leading towards the shed gets very muddy. I would lov

pool trees

QuestionWhat type of tree is good around a pool in Central Alabama? Palms die. AnswerHello Jody. Given that I am an Englishman and that I am based in Italy I am not the ideal expert to answer your question. I would

Sand/soil against foundation

QuestionHi, I need to raise the ground level around the foundation of my house, about 6-8, so that rain water flows away from the house. It is regular grass lawn at the foundation. What is the best soil/loam/sand to

Flagstone over existing paver patio?

QuestionWe have a 12-year old existing concrete paver patio that was not pitched properly for drainage and gets shallow puddled water in areas. It does drain away, though (contractor was a nightmare). &n

brick patio frame

QuestionWe had a brick patio put in our backyard about 10 yrs ago. They used a wooden frame and now it is rising due to what we believe is the weather. Now the frame is about 2 inches higher than the pat

Landscaping around house

QuestionI have a bad smell in my basement that I believe is due to water seepage. I have been told that the rock beds outside my house need to be redone, and elevated right next to the house. First, how

Landscape around house

QuestionI have a bad smell in my basement that I believe is due to water seepage. I have been told that the rock beds outside my house need to be redone, and elevated right next to the house. First, how

creativity

QuestionOur backyard sits at the bottom of everyone elses, so we get a small pool of water everytime it rains. About 3 inches. I was wondering if there were something we could do to eliminate the problem by designin

Plants next to driveway

QuestionI would like to plant a line of some kind of bush or shrub or hedge or something on the north side of my driveway to do the following: 1. The driveway has a funny curve in it and people tend to drive

Raised flower bed next to garage

QuestionHi, I would like to build a raised flower bed along the side of my garage where weeds love to grow. How far away from the wall of the garage do I need to place the flower bed? Also, the yard tends to be wet

mulching

QuestionI have heard such bad things about using any type mulch or pinestraw near your house (termites, toxins etc.). I want my front walk and entranceway to be pretty and free of weeds so what do people use instead

Root Barriers

QuestionQUESTION: I have been told by a foundation repair company that the hollies planted near my foundation take more water out of the foundation than a tree and they should all be pulled out. Do you agree t