Rodger wrote >Jane's further comments about growing camas in a sump came as >welcome news. The >storm sewer construction has led to the creation of a large bed that DOES NOT >DRAIN, thanks to idiot constuction dudes running a big excavator >over wet clay, >and I've been at my wits' end trying to think what I can plant that that will >tolerate the conditions thus created. No, this is a misunderstanding. The "rain garden" or bioswale DOES drain. It is constructed by excavating a hole about 4 feet deep and laying in layers of various materials (I believe we used pea gravel, coarse sand, and vegetable compost, but NO MANURE, along with the local clay). It is NOT COMPACTED. I have almost never seen any water standing on the surface. The whole point of it is to soak away excess runoff to prevent it getting into the storm drains -- the county didn't care that there are no storm drains on this road, of course. Jane McGary Portland, Oregon, USA