Rain gardens, also, called a bio-retention facility, made to treat the polluted storm water runoff. A depressed area in the landscape that collects the rainwater from a roof, driveway, or street is soaked into the ground to make it rain garden by growing flowering perennials and other grasses. It can be installed in a low spot in any landscape. The ideal plants for rain gardens are the native plants that can naturally adaptable to a wide range of moisture conditions and trap or filter runoff water.
Benefits of Rain Gardens
- A rain garden helps in preventing pollution. Runoff water is not pure rainwater as it collects pollutants such as nitrogen and phosphorus from lawn fertilizers as it flows. These pollutants will harm rivers and ponds by causing algae blooms and kill the fishes in the ecosystem.
- By creating a rain garden, the deep roots of the plants help in absorbing these nutrients and hence protecting the quality of groundwater.
- Rain gardens can also protect the house from the flood as the mature stand of rain garden plants will take up excess water that otherwise would have formed a puddle in the yard, leading to water intrusion issues.
- Rain garden also helps in getting rid of standing water, hence requesting the breeding issue of the mosquito around your home.
- Rain gardens create habitats for butterflies, bees, and birds
- Rain gardens help in conserve water. The native plants that flourish in the rain garden without the need for additional supplemental irrigation
So, if you are planning to create a rain garden, plan to place it at least ten feet away from your home. Underground utilities and tree roots will also influence the placement of the rain garden. If the yard does not have a natural depression, create one by digging one. The basin should have a flat bottom and gently sloping sides which can be filled with dirt to hold excess rainfall until the plants are ready to absorb it.
Plants for a Rain Garden
In a proper rain garden, only perennial plants should be added as the rain garden functions as a water abatement feature and it depends on the deep roots of the perennial plants.
- Plants installed in the center of the garden will have longer periods of wet garden soil, and hence, will grow in the moist conditions.
- Plants around the edge of the rain garden will rarely have wet feet and can withstand occasional periods of drought.
Trees and Shrubs for a Rain Garden
The rain garden is not the place to grow a large shade tree. Hence, a small ornamental tree or shrub can be used as a focal point in the landscape. The deep taproot of a pawpaw tree, redbud tree, hackberry, or river birch is some of the trees that are well-suited to a rain garden. And will greatly increase the water absorption ability of your rain garden.
Rain Garden Care and Maintenance
The maintenance of the rain garden is low. But would be great if good care is practiced. Rain gardens may require more care in the first year of installation, but as they establish their root systems it would not need much care. It is best to water deeply but infrequently during times of drought as this encourages the healthy roots of the plant. Rain gardens need to be kept weed-free to have healthy plants. Weed the rain garden after the rain.