Written by Ron Howe, ASLA
Rain Gardens! That seems to be a hot topic now in the landscape world. Exactly what is it and why should we be so interested in having one for ourselves?
There is much interest today in protecting our world. One thing each of us can do to help a little is to build a rain garden on our property. Simply speaking, a rain garden is a dished out area of a yard that allows rain water from gutters and downspouts, sidewalks, driveways, swales and other run-off to collect and store. While the water is stored it is given ample time to be absorbed by the soil as sediment and pollution are absorbed by plant roots. It does not have to be a large area; most are very modest in size. The actual size can be determined by simple calculations relating to the size of surface area drained.
The idea is for the soil to absorb and clean water and keep it from running off into storm sewers along with the pollutants and sediment. The rain garden is a tool to help keep streams and lakes clean. As water passes across yards it collects fertilizers, animal waste, and other materials. As it flows across streets and parking lots a rain garden can collect and filter de-icing salts, oil, and other chemicals. Since most of our drinking water comes from our waterways it has to be treated and filtered before we can drink it. This is an expensive process. Helping to reduce the runoff with a rain garden on our property is just one thing we can do to help clean up our waterways.
To enable a rain garden to work, the soil needs to be porous so water can be absorbed. A simple porosity test should be performed. Some soils may need to be amended. Plants that have deep penetrating roots are also needed for a functioning rain garden. Plant selection is an area that needs to be thought out carefully.
Plant water needs are critical in the planning stage. Plants that prefer moist soil should be planted in the deepest areas of the garden and those that prefer drier soil should be planted on the upper edges. Also, consider the amount of sunlight the area receives. Select plants considering their light requirements.
A well planted rain garden is a very beautiful thing to see and adds interest to the yard. Butterflies, hummingbirds, and other wildlife are naturally attracted as well.
When planning for a rain garden it’s always best to consult your experts. At Mark M. Holeman, Inc. we can help you with every detail. We work with nurseries that grow native and exotic plants for this use. We can create the look you want in the proper location with the correct plants to make your rain garden a delight. Call us when you are interested and let’s see how we can work together to make it happen.