Hi,

Just moved into new construction and am starting to plant in the beds off the back patio. I noticed this area of about 5 ft off the patio last year staying wet much longer than the area around it. All of my down spouts seem to be working well and away from this area. The house has drain pipes around it and the sump pump never goes off. The area looks like it is graded appropriately. However, I was just digging holes o plant my roses and noticed the hole begin to fill up with water. I dug another nearby and that did too-- in the same areas I found to stay damp longer before I had beds dug. (Of course, no one mentioned any drain problems at that time). Where do you think that much water is coming from? Does this "french drain" apply? Or should I go with bog plantings? (Not sure how dry it would get in drought times. But, we have been watering grass lately.

Any ideas of what to do with my Perennial garden/ wet spot appreciated.