Rain gardens are often misunderstood, with many misconceptions about what they are and why you would want one.
What Is a Rain Garden?
What Are Nonpoint Source Pollutants?
DigiPub / Getty Images
The importance of using native plants can be seen in the following comparison.
How Does a Rain Garden Work?
The principle of how rain gardens work is simple.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
You have likely seen water run downhill before and witnessed a puddle on a lawn slowly disappear.
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.
Mark Turner / Getty Images
Absorption will be aided by adding native plants with deep root systems oramending the soilif it isnot ideal.
Perform a simple water percolation test to determine your sites soil drainage rate before you get going working.
Budget
Expect to spend around $5 per square foot on the project.
Joanne Dale/Getty Images
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.
Site Selection
The most important consideration when planning a rain garden is site selection.
Field Outdoor Spaces/ Flickr / CC BY 2.0
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.
Elizabeth Fraser / U.S. Army
If you are concerned about water conservation, then a rain garden could be worthwhile.
A rain garden allows for more water to soak into the soil, preventing chemicals from seeping into waterways.
Locate a rain garden at least 10 feet away from your home to avoid damaging the foundation.
Stormwater Best Management Practice: Bioretention (Rain Gardens).U.S.
Basic Information about Nonpoint Source (NPS) Pollution.U.S.
All About Rain Gardens.Groundwater Foundation.
Where should your garden go?Three Rivers Rain Garden Alliance.
