• Fraser Valley, British Columbia
  • colman@hugheslandscaping.ca
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What should I do if I Notice an Issue with my Rain Garden?

If you notice an issue with your rain garden, such as standing water, plant health concerns, or erosion, we recommend a few specific troubleshooting steps to restore its function.

Managing Standing Water

If water lingers for more than 24 to 48 hours, it often indicates an undersized design or poor soil infiltration. We recommend checking the soil infiltration rate. In many cases, amending the soil blend to meet provincial green infrastructure guidelines—such as using a 2:1 ratio of sand to native soil—will restore proper drainage.

Addressing Plant Health

Problems with plant health usually stem from selecting species that cannot handle the Fraser Valley’s cycle of wet winters and dry summers. We suggest using native rain garden plants like red-osier dogwood, sword fern, or sedges, which are adapted to local conditions and help stabilize the basin.

Preventing Erosion

Erosion near inlets or edges can undermine performance. To resolve this, we focus on three areas:

  • Mulching: Apply a 2- to 3-inch layer of shredded hardwood or cedar mulch to stabilize the soil.
  • Grading: Ensure the basin has a gentle 3:1 side slope and a 2–5% slope from the inlet toward the center.
  • Clearance: Keep overflow paths and inlets clear of fallen leaves, sediment, and debris.

Regular maintenance is your best defense. If these steps do not resolve the issue, our professional landscape services can provide a site evaluation to adjust the grading or soil amendments as needed.

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