Rain GardenEver hear of a rain garden-and wonder what it really is? It is a simple garden created to “catch” the rain and use that water for the plants in the garden. These gardens are low-maintenance landscaped areas that are specially designed to contain, filter and soak up storm water runoff from rooftops, patios, driveways or basement sump pumps. It starts with a depression in the ground, designed to catch the rainwater that runs off your roof or your yard. Basically the rain garden is a shallow basin shaped area planted with perennials, grasses and shrubs. These plants are usually native to the area climate, so that little additional watering is needed for the plants to survive and they can survive some occasional drought. Rain Gardens are importantWhy is this garden so important? Well – when you think about it, the rainwater that falls from the sky into your yard or patio doesn’t really have too many places to go. It runs off of developed land of cement, concrete parking lots, streets, and roofs …right into the sewer system .Water can’t soak into the ground and all of the run-off force causes erosion. And when it does filter into our storm sewer systems, it carries all of the pollutants gathered along the way. Basically it’s water pollution. These pollutants flow through the drains and pipes bringing all of the toxins from weed control, fertilizers, and even chemicals from our pools into our streams, lakes and ponds . It’s not always easy to see the affects of rainwater runoff directly, but this contamination is harmful to Mother Earth and to us and having a rain garden means that you do your part to improve the water supply. A garden that collects this run-off , and soaks up the rain allowing rain to soak back into the ground and replenishing the soil. According to the EPA – storm water runoff is the #1 threat in regards to water in the US . Every gardener can help clean up our water supply by creating and promoting proper planting and using rain gardens when possible. Rain Garden DesignLocation Location LocationCreate your raingarden in a logical location that captures water running off the landscape. It might be near the rain gutter downspouts or in an area of the yard that has natural depression that retains water making pools and puddles... but dries quickly. Pick a naturally low spot – that drains away from the house, and is in a sunny location. Begin the Big Dig Adding a rain garden to your yard and landscape isn’t really that hard. It will take some brawn and muscle , but most people can create this garden in a weekend. First - Check for underground utility lines. This is a must to-do before you do anything else! Call the utility company in your area and schedule them to come and mark where the lines are on your property. This is such an important safety precaution. Please do not skip this step. Once that’s done , you’re ready to dig. Ok – back to the fun stuff. Note:Making sure the water drains away from the house is important because during heavy rains, your rain garden may fill up and overflow. You can test the drainage by filling the depression with a garden hose and watching where the over flow goes. You can at this time dig a shallow trench to direct the water out and away from the house. Rain Garden PlantsFill the garden with native plants and stone mulch. (Bark mulch washes away too easily )Add plants that can tolerate wet feet in the middle of the rain garden and the edges should be planted with plants that need a dryer soil. Using native plants will make this garden almost self maintaining. Not quite maintenance free…..but pretty close.For the first few years, it will need to be monitored for weeds and kept watered. – But after the plants are established, only a little thinning will be needed every year. Native plants indigenous to your area will often have extensive root systems so less watering is needed. Plan your flowers to bloom at different times for continual color. Native and ornamental grasses will add interest and movement to your garden. Raingarden plants in the sun Plant Coneflower, Butterfly Flower, Goldenrod, Prairie Blazing Star,Little Bluestem, Hydrangea, native grasses, Purple Fountain Grass Shade/Part Shade Plant Columbine,Virginia Bluebells,Ferns,Jacobs Ladder,Solomon,s Seal ,Hosta,Hydrangea, Ferns
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