It’s true that rain gardens are eco-friendly, but there’s so much more to this great garden project that would make you want one in your own yard. A rain garden is, at its core, a garden that collects rainwater, holds it for a limited amount of time, and filters it before slowly releasing the water into the ground. It collects rainwater from impervious surfaces like roofs, pavements, driveways, patios, parking lots, or waterlogged yards, allowing the water to slowly seep back into the ground, preventing runoff from reaching local waterways. Installing rain gardens in our communities are essential for the health of our waterways. As our green spaces become overdeveloped, rain gardens will become vital. They play a huge role in guarding our waterways from nonpoint source pollutants (NPS) contained in runoff water.
Characteristics of a Rain Garden
A rain garden is your individual way to practice environmental stewardship. These specialized gardens have features that make them distinct from your typical flower bed. The primary purpose of a rain garden is to reduce runoff, so it should be placed in a location enabling the garden to collect water. Select only native plants (shrubs, perennials, and annuals) for your rain garden. Native plants can control erosion by stabilizing soils and increase the recharge rate of water and can also filter any contaminants in the runoff before it enters the groundwater. The importance of using native plants can be seen in the comparison between Big bluestem grass (Andropogon gerardii) and Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis) roots. Blue big stem roots can grow up to 12 feet deep, whereas Kentucky bluegrass roots will grow one to two feet deep, allowing for far less water filtration. When installing a rain garden, you are not creating a pond; ideally, the garden should drain within 24 hours after a storm.
How Does a Rain Garden Work?
The principle of how rain gardens work is pretty simple. You have seen water run downhill before and have seen a puddle on a lawn slowly disappear. A rain garden creates a channel to an artificial depression or serves as an artificial depression, where water will be able to collect and enter the ground slowly. The rate at which water is absorbed is controlled by estimating the amount of runoff entering the rain garden. The amount of runoff determines the depth of the depression and the size of the rain garden. Absorption will be aided by adding native plants with deep root systems or amending the soil if it is not ideal. Perform a simple water percolation test to determine your site’s soil drainage rate before you start working.
Planning Ahead
Creating a functional, aesthetically pleasing rain garden won’t require you to hire a landscaper or environmental scientist. With the help of a few assistants (friends, family members, neighbors), you can finish the project over a weekend, but it will require some planning.
Budget
Expect to spend around five dollars per square foot on the project. Most of your budget will be spent on plant material. Shop at local nurseries specializing in native plants or grow your own from seed to save money. Look for local plant sales that offer native plants for sale; many extension services hold spring plant sales that will offer plants perfect for rain gardens. By installing the rain garden yourself, you will save a good deal of money compared to paying someone to install it for you.
Site Selection
The most important consideration when planning a rain garden is site selection. Locating your rain garden in a spot that receives little to no water or too much water defeats its purpose. You want to choose a location between two impervious surfaces, for instance, a roof, a lawn, and a street. Examine where the rainwater pours off the roof via downspouts, watch how it flows to the lawn, and see how where the runoff water enters the street.
Plant Selection and Placement
To design and lay out your garden, determine its depth and size, estimate the runoff amount, and use the soil percolation test mentioned above. Plant placement must allow for water uptake and optimum plant health. On the very edge of the garden, plants must be able to tolerate dry conditions. Plants installed along the slope should be able to thrive in conditions that are sometimes dry or wet. In the deepest section of the rain garden, known as the base, place plants that can handle wet soil for an extended time. Before putting shovel to earth, call your utility companies to safely identify underground utility lines. Make this call before you dig to prevent damage to property and injury to you and your loved ones. Identify the area of your proposed garden site with string or spray paint before the utility workers arrive.
