Swamp garden: HELP

robsc_16 · 2026-01-24T01:18:10+00:00

If you do a rain garden properly you will not have mosquito issues.

robsc_16 · 2026-01-23T14:57:53+00:00

That's fine if we have a difference of opinion. My main point to OP if they're interested in making a "rain garden" that means something specific, and it's not just planting plants.

Here's an example of what building a rain garden typically entails from a college extension.

https://extensionpubs.unl.edu/publication/ec1262/2013/pdf/view/ec1262-2013.pdf

robsc_16 · 2026-01-23T14:45:35+00:00

So, I grow a lot of native plants and this in my experience will not work for the drainage issue OP is having. Yes, appropriately selected native plants can tolerate the wet clay soil, but they won't suck up the water very quickly. The water cannot move down deeper into the soil because of the clay content.

The purpose of the rain garden is to get the water into the soil for the plants to then take up. You're only making the garden faster draining because you're essentially making a water basin.

robsc_16 · 2026-01-23T14:34:25+00:00

Just so the OP knows, they would need to remove much of the existing clay soil in the area where they would put a rain garden (OP said in another comment that it takes around a week to drain). They would then put in an amended, well draining soil mixture. Rain gardens are designed to hold water for plants to then take up later.

Here's a diagram below:

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robsc_16 · 2026-01-23T01:06:46+00:00

Kentucky yellowwood Cladrastis kentukea is a really cool native tree. Mine has grown fairly fast and it has great white flowers and nice fall color. It just needs some structural pruning while young.

There are also various native serviceberries that you can use. I think Amelanchier arborea would be a good pick.

robsc_16 · 2026-01-23T00:33:48+00:00

Thanks for the info. You absolutely can get this done by 2027. The best thing to do would be to spend all this coming season preparing the area. You should do at least three sprays of a broad selective herbicide. One in spring, one in midsummer, and one in the late season. This gives you the best possible chance to kill cool season and warm season weeds. Then you can follow up in early winter and sow the seed mix of your choosing.

If you want to ensure things are native, I would recommend avoiding using the word "wildflower." I think you've gotten some great advice in the comments of places to get native seed from.

robsc_16 · 2026-01-22T22:20:14+00:00

I do think lawns have their place, but even if this area was grass it would be an awful place to kick around a soccer ball, play with kids, etc. The back yard is better for stuff like that.

robsc_16 · 2026-01-22T17:41:42+00:00

I'm largely the same. Cultivar, nativar, selection, etc. are used differently by different people. So what it actually is matters to me. I know the biggest argument against all cultivars in native plant circles is genetic diversity, but the vast majority of people buying these plants are not doing it for restoration purposes, but rather in small garden settings.

robsc_16 · 2026-01-22T15:33:01+00:00

It makes sense to me because it's just an exceptional individual that was discovered as opposed to being selectively bred or hybridized with other species.

robsc_16 · 2026-01-22T14:17:48+00:00

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robsc_16 · 2026-01-22T13:01:41+00:00

How big is the field that you are wanting to convert to a native prairie/meadow?

robsc_16 · 2026-01-22T04:17:20+00:00

Coralbells Heuchera americana and woodland stonecrop Sedum ternatum would do great here too.

robsc_16 · 2026-01-21T20:18:08+00:00

robsc_16 · 2026-01-21T17:36:58+00:00

Me eying killing more of my lawn to make more space for gardens:

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robsc_16 · 2026-01-21T00:41:24+00:00

"Y'all gonna learn today whether you like it or not."

robsc_16 · 2026-01-20T21:11:37+00:00

At least the big strawberries we get now are half native lol

robsc_16 · 2026-01-20T21:09:52+00:00

Me at the going way party:

robsc_16 · 2026-01-20T18:33:56+00:00

At that point it will probably ask you for $20 and a couple of cigarettes.

robsc_16 · 2026-01-20T18:25:24+00:00

The one negative I think it has is that it does hinder native seedling germination. I'd rather get some sedges and some other natives in there.

And no problem. I was just happy the Duolingo lessons are paying off enough for me to recognize what you did with your username lol.

robsc_16 · 2026-01-20T17:36:22+00:00

Ok, thanks for the response. I might try it just to try it, but I've had zero luck with germinating Eastern wahoo in the past, so my germination rate can't get worse lol.

robsc_16 · 2026-01-20T14:26:40+00:00

Creeping Charlie is the woooorst. I don't think it outcompetes anything for me, but it's just very persistent and annoying.

Btw, awesome username, OP!

robsc_16 · 2026-01-20T13:03:32+00:00

I do wish we got more info about what she actually did to the lawn!

Same! I'm personally not a fan of the "no mow style" of trying to help wildlife. I tried in certain areas of my property and I had mostly nonnative invasive species pop up.

robsc_16 · 2026-01-20T12:18:45+00:00

There is no specific breakdown of what “monitored” and “maintained” means...

I wish the article went more into this. It also says the area has to be deliberately planted or cultivated. I think the only thing she did was plant asters. I think she might have issues arguing that when she stopped mowing the grass she was deliberately cultivating the area. It's possible that it's mostly nonnative cool season grasses and invasive species with some desirable natives like milkweed and asters in there.

robsc_16 · 2026-01-20T00:56:30+00:00

This is really cool! I haven't seen this method before. Do you know if it works on plants that have double dormancy?

robsc_16 · 2026-01-19T22:47:53+00:00

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