RAIN GARDENS 101
If you're planning on building your own rain garden, here is a brief guideline to make sure it's done correctly, soaks up water properly, and is a thing of beauty and a joy to behold for many years to come. As with many projects, there are pitfalls to avoid, so best to do your research and consult professionals when needed.
WHAT IS A RAIN GARDEN?
A Rain Garden is a shallow, bowl-shaped bed (6 -12" deep), planted near a building or paved surface. When it rains, water from downspouts is directed to the rain garden where it soaks into the ground over the following day or two and replenishes our precious drinking water aquifers. Rain gardens soak up storm water before it becomes a problem. Typically rain in urban areas runs off across paved surfaces, picking up pollutants like pet waste, fertilizer, cigarette butts, fuels and solvents and deposits them, untreated into the nearest lake or stream via the storm sewer. The result is often closed beaches, endangered aquatic life and compromised drinking source waters.
DID YOU KNOW?
- Rain gardens work in all types of soil, from clay to sand. They also filter snow in the Winter.
- Some tall prairie grasses can grow roots up to 10 feet long
- Lawn grass has tiny roots which don't allow for water infiltration
- Rain gardens are great habitat for birds & pollinators like butterflies
- Many cities already encourage residents to build their own rain gardens; Chicago, Seattle, L.A. & Melbourne, just to name a few!