Tent gone!! Woohoo!!

The pic below is looking south: This shed will be knocked down and is covering the bulk of where my rain garden will go. You can see the black walnut tree behind it

The pic below is looking west: this is the space behind the small shed. On the left is the walnut tree that the garden kind of radiates around. I'm not worried about damaging tree roots; our landlord wants to eventually remove this tree

The pic below is of the brick patio along the permanent shed. Rain collects off the roof along it's walls creating a depression that is getting worse with time

The pic below is looking south: this is the permanent shed. We hope to screen in the left side for a nice place to sit overlooking the rain garden that would be to the left of it

The pic below is looking east to the back of the property: This is where the huge black tent used to be. It shows the pavers that also cover the entire proposed rain garden area. This space will hopefully be grass next spring.

PS Anyone want pavers? lol

Jodi

Jodi - this is great! You have really figured this out nicely. I think that your plan is wonderful.

You asked about whether you should put both downspouts into the same section 1, and then have them both overflow into section 2. I think it would be better to have one downspout in each pool. Then you don't get as much water in one spot, and you spread it around.

But is there a way to get the water there? Can you move the downspout, or the downspout end so it gets there? You can come up with creative ideas.

I love how you have made a whole-yard plan! I can just envision you sitting there in the screened-in porch, overlooking a lovely rain garden!

Prospective plant list: Two primary reasons for my plant choices are 1. Create a screen between our "screened in porch" and our neighbors yard and 2. Create a interactive experience for my toddler son so that he can get excited about gardening....

Bluestem, Big: for screening and winter color

Culver's Root: Nice to look at

Spiderwort: blooms turn gelatinous on touch

False Dragonhead: Easy to grow, great for bees, pretty color

Solomon Seal, Starry False: Edible berries

Spotted Touch-Me-Not: Exploding pods on touch, great for hummingbirds

Turtlehead: I really like it, great for the wettest part of the rain garden

Wild Leek: Edible, aromatic, and mosquito repellant

Wild Ginger: Ground cover on berms

Wild Strawberry: Flexible conditions, resilient, ground cover on berms, edible fruit

Do you think 10 plants are too much for a first-timer?

If you know where you are going to place them, I don't see why 10 plant species should be daunting. You need to fill the space somehow, right?

It strikes me that if you convert what is now covered with pavers into the rain garden, that saves the trouble of desodding :^)

I agree with Tricia. Ten plants will make it beautiful and interesting.

Finally carved out time for the perc test...

Ran into a large root, so had to dig to the side

Results: Water gone at the 5 1/2 hour mark

Adjusted plan a bit after finishing the course...

Base Plan with plant list:

Plant list up close (in order of bloom)

Base Plan enlarged (each square equals 0.5 sqft) Also added small stone swale for my son to play in at the bottom of the downspout

stone swale is a great idea! I like how you have the stepping stones going through the garden

Thanks Tricia! I'm really excited about it. I think my son will looove playing in it

This looks beautiful! I can't wait to see it!