RAIN GARDENS

Rain Gardens, your personal contribution to cleaner water and a cleaner environment!
 
Rain Gardens are an approach to rainwater harvesting that can prevent flooding and erosion and turn stormwater problems into water supply assets by slowing run-off and allowing it to soak into the ground. Rain gardens are not ponds, they are a shallow basin fashioned to collect rainwater long enough to absorb into the ground. They are usually planted with native vegetation with deep roots that are hardy during both wet and dry seasons. These native plants are attractive, require little maintenance and help to purify the water. Plants in a rain garden add color to the landscape throughout the year and attract beneficial insects, butterflies and birds which are essential to the survival of our ecosystem.
 
Benefits of Rain Gardens:
  • Increases the amount of water that filters into the ground
  • Helps protect communities from flooding and drainage problems
  • Helps protect streams and lakes from pollutants carried by urban stormwater – lawn fertilizers and pesticides oil and other fluids that leak from cars, and numerous harmful substances that wash off roofs and paved areas
  • Enhances the beauty of yards and neighborhoods
  • Provides valuable habitat for birds, butterflies, and beneficial insects
 
Frequently Asked Questions:
 
Does a rain garden form a pond?
  • No, the rain water will soak into the ground and is dry between rainfalls

Are rain gardens a breeding ground for mosquitoes?
  • No, mosquitoes need 7 to 12 days to lay and hatch eggs, and standing water in the rain garden will last for a few hours after most storms. Mosquitoes are more likely to lay eggs in bird baths (without a moving water fountain), storm sewers, and lawns than in a sunny rain garden.  Also, rain gardens attract dragonflies, which eat mosquitoes!

Do Rain Gardens require a lot of maintenance?
  • Rain gardens can be maintained with little effort after the plants are established.  Some weeding and watering will be needed in the first two years, and perhaps some thinning in later years as the plants mature.
Learn more about: