GOOD TO KNOW
Rain gardens have both flood and drought-tolerant native plants, grasses and trees. A top layer of mulch will keep the weeds out and improve water absorption and filtration. Rain gardens have many benefits. They:
- Enhance the beauty of your yard
- Diversify the plants in your yard
- Provide habitat for birds and insects
- Filter stormwater runoff before it enters local waterways
GOOD TO DO
If you are looking for a solution to the standing water on your property or a way to add more color to your yard and help improve water quality, then a rain garden is your solution! Here are the key steps to installing a rain garden:
Strategies
- Strategically locate your rain garden by noticing where water already flows or pools. Consider placing it near your house to catch runoff from the roof or in another area of your lawn to collect runoff from other hard surfaces.
- Select a variety of native plants, being careful to include both drought and flood-tolerant species suitable for our climate zone. Here’s a great list of rain garden plants to get you started.
- Sketch out your garden design and plant placement, or work with a professional landscaper to create a successful design. Here are some simple rain garden plans you could consider for your yard.
