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Learn all about rain gardens and why they are such a valuable addition to your neighborhood and the community.
The concept of having a rain garden began in the 1990s in Maryland. They are now one of the fastest growing areas of interest for home landscapes.
A rain garden is a garden that is intended to soak up rainwater runoff from areas like roofs, driveways, walkways, and compacted lawns. This reduces runoff from storms by allowing the water to soak into the ground. Raingardens keeps the water from flowing into storm drains and surface waters which can cause erosion, water pollution, flooding, and diminished groundwater. These rain gardens cut down on the amount of pollution that reaches creeks and streams by 30%, and this makes them a valuable addition to a neighborhood or community.
How do rain gardens work They delay and filter surface runoff and increase the amount of water that infiltrates the ground. By increasing infiltration, improve the quality of storm water and reduce the potential for local flooding of streets, yards, and sidewalks. They use a series of filtration mechanisms. The plants and soils trap potential pollutants and the plants absorb some of the pollutants and used them in energy cycles. Also, beneficial bacteria and microorganisms break down many of the pollutants and make them harmless.
When a rain garden is planted, it is a good idea to plan native plants. They generally do not require fertilizer and are more tolerant to the local climate, soil, and water conditions. Native plants also may contribute to urban habitats for native butterflies, birds, and beneficial insects. The plants also need to be able to withstand extreme moisture and dryness, as well as concentrations of nutrients such as Nitrogen and Phosphorus, which is found is rainwater runoff. |
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