Hey guys -- Sorry about all the posts, but I'm working on a couple of slightly related things around the house.

Last year, to help prevent basement flooding, I graded, plastic-sheeted, and dry-welled the side of my yard that would collect a lot of water (and ultimately flood my basement).

It worked well.

So, how do I landscape this area now?

There are a few issues with traditional landscaping:
1) The plastic is about 2 inches below the surface (although some of it is washing away already).

2) The grade butts about 2-3 inches below the top of the foundation and the bottom of the siding.

3) The adjacent lot (undeveloped) is at a 3-4 inch grade HIGHER than my yard (it's on the other side of my stockade fence).

4) It's REALLY shady.

Any ideas? I'm thinking plants won't work, and grass won't work.

Not really sure what the question is here. Is it what to plant or how to grade?
Is it possible to swail between the yards and drain towards the front or back

What would be a good landscaping solution given my restrictions?

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What would be a good landscaping solution given my restrictions?

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I don't know your restrictions other then a water problem and no informant about slopes towards the front or back of the yard to shed water with a sawil between properties.

So far all I know is the Side yard in 3 to 4" lower then the neighbors. No distances in widths/ length of the side etc.

Anyone else have any ideas?

I was thinking stones or maybe pavers, but I don't really like those options.

You mentioned that the adjacent lot is a few inches higher. So long as this does not allow water to accumulate in this area then you should have no problem planting smaller plants, moss, or sod. You may even want to use planter boxes (garden boxes) on top of the ground so you have a raised area where you can plant a garden, flowers, or other plants. If you want a planter area rather than sod, make sure to use a heavier rock, bark, or soil so that it doesn't wash away being above the plastic sheeting. Our website also has a picture gallery that may give you some ideas: Photo Portfolio

Hi outdoorLiving. Welcome to the Site. The post/thread you answered is a tad old. Look at the upper left on the post and see the dates.

I did the same thing when I started and someone helped me out.

Anyhow again Welcome to the site!!

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Originally Posted by 21boat

Hi outdoorLiving. Welcome to the Site. The post/thread you answered is a tad old. Look at the upper left on the post and see the dates.

I did the same thing when I started out and someone helped me out.

Anyhow again Welcome to the site !!!!

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That may be true, but I appreciate the idea.


I hadn't considered doing planter boxes. If I did it that way, I could make some deeper soil, and I could pitch the boxes away from the house, remedying my drainage concern.

Cool idea. Now I just have to figure how large of a planter box I want to make. (The space is 10x30.)

This a picture I found that provides a good cross-section of my yard.

Is punching holes in the polyethelene a good idea? Won't water drain through the holes and reach the basement foundation below?