Beginner Gardening: landscape area near basement, 1 by k23ms

k23ms wrote:
Hi Everyone,
I have a small area near my central air unit that it seems is the main issue every time I take we get a heavy heavy rainfall. It comes right into the basement around this area. About a year ago I put down a big blue tarp in that area and besides a puddle or two it seems to be a lot better. The theory was that the rain would hit the tarp and roll right off. I have also put extra dirt there to make sure it slopes away from foundation

The tarp helps but looks awful. Any suggestions? I thought of maybe leaving the tarp there and just burying dirt over it and eventually seeding for grass? Maybe leaving the tarp there and put a few big pavers over it to make it nicer looking. I dont want water in the basement but the tarp looks awful. Here is a picture of the area. Thank you in advance