Solving drainage issues - Ask Extension
My home backs a wooded hillside and during times of heavy rain I have an area in yard where water collects and gets swampy. On other side of house wat...
Knowledgebase
Solving drainage issues #923869
Asked January 22, 2026, 3:20 PM EST
My home backs a wooded hillside and during times of heavy rain I have an area in yard where water collects and gets swampy. On other side of house water creates little channels through yard as it runs toward street and also into neighbors yard. I’m looking for information and resources to assess and address the issues. My goal is to landscape the property in a way that incorporates use of more native plants and supports existing wildlife.
Howard County Maryland
Expert Response
If you're able to connect with your local county Master Gardeners, either online or at an in-person event, the Bay-Wise program may help with finding ways to manage stormwater, like putting in a rain garden (and making use of any applicable local government/municipality rebates towards its cost), installing rain barrels, and selecting plants for damp areas that can thrive in (or at least tolerate) periodically wet soil.
If you would like to hire help (either as a design consultant or project installer), consider a graduate of the Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional program, which trains horticulturists/landscapers in sustainable techniques, which includes stormwater management, erosion mitigation, and the use of native plants in landscaping.
Miri
If you would like to hire help (either as a design consultant or project installer), consider a graduate of the Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional program, which trains horticulturists/landscapers in sustainable techniques, which includes stormwater management, erosion mitigation, and the use of native plants in landscaping.
Miri
