A rain garden is a sunken garden designed to absorb rainwater from impervious areas such as roofs, driveways, walkways, and compacted lawn areas.
Rain gardens reduce runoff by allowing stormwater to soak into the ground, as opposed to flowing into storm drains and surface waters, which can cause erosion, water pollution, flooding, and diminished groundwater.
Several different factors should be taken into account when planning your rain garden. The location of the garden, the types of plants used, and the size of the garden are important aspects of the planning process. Gardens should be far enough from the house so that the water does not infiltrate into basements. The location will determine if the garden captures water just from the roof, or if it captures water from the roof and much of the lawn. Native plant species are best for rain gardens because they:
- require less maintenance
- are well adapted for the area
- and don’t require pesticides and fertilizers.
There are many plants to choose from. Your garden should be both fun and functional, so choose plants that you will enjoy! The size of the garden will determine how much water it will be capable of draining.
Get your rain garden instruction manual
Download the brochure below for instructions on how to build your own rain garden:
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