A garden specifically designed to soak in polluted stormwater runoff.
Why?
Rain gardens(PDF, 5MB) are dug as a "bowl", rather than a mounded garden bed, and designed with zones in mind – plants that can tolerate wet and dry conditions are placed in the middle, with drought-tolerant plants framing the outside. This design allows more water to collect in the center, slowing it down and giving it time to soak in.
How?
If you have property near Bradley Creek or Hewletts Creek, our HOWBMP program will fully fund and install rain gardens on your property! You can sign up for a site visit to see if you qualify. Otherwise, you can plan it yourself or hire a landscaper that is versed in stormwater management. They will have insight for the best location of the rain garden. Rain gardens require some source of stormwater, like a downspout from a roof, but also need to be a safe distance away from a building's foundation. During planting, native plants are recommended for rain gardens because they don't require pesticides and fertilizers. After that, it’s like regular gardening – prune/deadhead your plants, weed regularly, remove trash and pet waste, add mulch annually, and water during plant establishment and dry periods.
Bonus: Use the water captured in a rain barrel or cistern to water rain garden plants during dry periods.
Benefits
- Increases property value
- Can protect against flooding
- Adds greenery and beauty
- Provides a unique habitat for pollinators (like bees and butterflies) and wildlife
- Recharges the groundwater table
- Filters pollutants and protects our waterways
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