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-July 2005- |
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Rain Gardens: A way to minimize stormwater runoff | |||
| In an intact watershed, rain is able to soak into the ground and is used by plants. These plants then filter out impurities from stormwater. However, in urban settings rainwater runs over impervious surfaces into storm drains and carries pollution with it. A significant amount of this pollution comes from our everyday practices in our yards and gardens. Therefore, it is important to reduce the amounts of stormwater entering rivers and streams. By putting in a rain garden, you can keep rain where it falls, while adding beauty and native vegetation to a landscape. What is a rain garden?A rain garden is an attractive landscaping feature planted with perennial native plants.* It is a garden plot that usually concaves in like a bowl. Placed to capture stormwater run-off from hard surfaces such as roofs and parking lots. Rain gardens can be small backyard gardens, large complex bioretention gardens maintained by a neighborhood or business, or anything in between. While planting a rain garden may seem like a small thing, the amount of rain that runs off your roof is quite large. Consider planting one in your yard or organize a planting at a park. You not only get a lovely garden out of it, but you have the added benefit of helping protect our rivers, streams, and lakes from stormwater pollution. You can be part of a beautiful and natural solution! *Perennial plants are those that grow back yearly. For more information on building your own rain garden, visit: |
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