Hello! We just broke ground on the new house, so this plan won't be implemented until the Spring of 2017. I am hopeful a tool larger than a shovel will be on hand to set the stage for these gardens (fingers-crossed). A couple of things I've been thinking about since the foundation dig has finished:

- soil type id'd on our impervious worksheet is sandy loam. The big mound in the background of the site photo fits that description. Since we will have an opportunity to build the soil type that these gardens will rest in, what's the best choice?

- soil compaction - the front garden

on the plan is currently the only place to park on site. By spring, if sandy loam compacts, it will be pretty dense. Should we consider scraping deeper than the gardens are planned for help it along? (if the finger-crossed works that is)

- swale depth - after the visit with Roger Moon, I looked at the depth our plan showed for the swales and need to reconsider. I knew the dry river bed option would require weeding, but I don't want to dig it up every spring. Can it be as easy as connecting the drainage pipe to the downspouts that lead to a deeper rain garden?

Super excited about learning more, especially the plants. Perennials are on sale at a lot of nurseries and the FB post about buying insecticide free plants was a great thing to learn! Cheers!

Joanie Stovall