Good thinking with the switchgrass—I've seen it hold up pretty well in similar situations. Dogwoods are a nice choice too, though they can take a bit longer to establish...still, worth the wait if they do the trick. Keep us posted how it goes.
Switchgrass and dogwoods are solid picks, but honestly, I'd also look into river birch if you haven't yet. Had a property near a creek that flooded every spring, and planting river birch along the edge made a noticeable difference. They establish quicker than dogwoods and soak up water like crazy. Plus, they look pretty nice once they're grown in—just something else to consider if you're still weighing options...
Definitely agree river birch is a great choice—I've seen it do wonders myself. Another thing that helped me a lot was building up the soil around the house foundation to create a slight slope away from the walls. It doesn't have to be anything drastic, just a gentle incline to guide the water away naturally. After that, I added a layer of gravel and installed some basic French drains beneath it. Worked surprisingly well for relatively low effort.
Also, don’t underestimate the power of gutters. Make sure they're clear and extended at least 5-6 feet out from your house—otherwise, you're just dumping water right next to your foundation. Learned that one the hard way... Anyway, pairing good landscaping choices like river birch or switchgrass with these small drainage tweaks can really make a noticeable difference over time.
"Make sure they're clear and extended at least 5-6 feet out from your house—otherwise, you're just dumping water right next to your foundation."
Good point about gutter extensions, but honestly, I've found that even with proper drainage, moisture can still wick up through the foundation walls. Anyone here tried waterproofing membranes or sealants on their basement walls? Curious if it's worth the hassle...
I've seen waterproofing membranes work pretty well, actually. Had a client who struggled with constant dampness in their basement—even after extending gutters and improving drainage. They finally bit the bullet and applied a membrane coating on the interior walls. It wasn't cheap or easy, but it made a noticeable difference. I'd say if moisture's still creeping in despite your best efforts, it's probably worth considering...
