Native Rain Garden (www.carolstream.org)
Native Rain Garden (www.carolstream.org)
What is a Rain Garden?
A rain garden is a natural or man-made, shallow depression in your yard that is designed to capture and absorb rainwater coming off your roof, driveway, patio, or other areas that don’t allow water to soak in. This type of functional garden, typically landscaped with a variety of native plants, is designed to pond up to six inches of water during and following a storm, and absorb the water into the soil within 24 hours.
Why are Rain Gardens Important?
In urban and suburban environments, much of the land is covered with impervious surfaces such as roads, sidewalks, rooftops and driveways that produce a tremendous amount of stormwater runoff. This runoff carries trash, chemicals, and sediment down the stormdrain and directly to our streams. This process also leads to flooding and erosion in our streams and prevents rainwater from soaking into the ground and recharging our groundwater supplies. Stormwater runoff is the number one problem our streams face in and around urban areas. Adding a rain garden to your yard is an attractive, simple, affordable option that significantly reduces the stormwater coming off your property.
Personal Benefits
- no mowing required
- minimal watering & weeding once established
- visually appealing
Environmental Benefits
- protect streams from flooding and pollution
- recharge groundwater supplies
- increase wildlife habitat
Frequently Asked Questions
So it’s a pond?
No, a rain garden is designed to absorb all the water that runs into it 24-48 hours after a storm.
What about mosquitoes?
Mosquito eggs require 7 to 12 days of standing water to hatch. Properly designed rain gardens will be completely dry within 48 hours of a storm. Rain gardens also attract beneficial insects such as dragonflies, which love to eat mosquitoes!
Is a rain garden expensive?
It doesn’t have to be. Currently, HRWA has a 3-year grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation for our Downspout Disconnection Program that allows us to offer significant discounts on rain garden design and installation. To save even more money, you can do it yourself! The main cost is purchasing rain garden soil, mulch, and plants. The labor can be done with family and friends (just make sure you provide lots of lemonade and cookies!).
Is there any maintenance required?
Rain gardens require some maintenance. Take a look at our routine maintenance activities rain gardens document for more information.
How do I learn more?
If you’re interested in a rain garden or would like to learn more, please contact Dana at 410-746-4170.
You can also visit the following sites:
Rainscaping.org – Anne Arundel C0unty’s terrific stormwater solution program
Low Impact Development Center – a non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of Low Impact Development technology
Chesapeake Ecology Center – an environmental organization dedicated to promoting and educating the public about community greening and conservation landscaping practices for the Chesapeake Bay watershed
