ELIMINATE POLLUTANTS

13. Plant a Rain Garden

A rain garden is a vegetated depression that collects rainwater. This allows the rain that falls on rooftops, driveways, and patios to infiltrate into the ground instead of becoming stormwater runoff.

Rain gardens are beneficial because they:​

  • Help keep water clean by filtering stormwater runoff before it enters local waterways;​

  • Help alleviate problems with flooding and drainage;​

  • Enhance the beauty of yards and communities;​

  • Provide habitat and food for wildlife like birds and butterflies;​

  • Reduce the need for expensive stormwater treatment structures in your community.​

Getting started​

The first step is sizing and siting your rain garden. You want to pick a location on your property to which you can direct a downspout or other source of runoff to. It should be at least 10 ft. from your home’s foundation and flat or gently sloping. A typical homeowner​ rain garden is around 100-300 sq. ft. and 4-8 inches deep. Just how big your rain garden should be will depend on your soils, slope, and the size of the area that drains​ to the garden.​

Native plants for rain gardens​

  • Cinnamon fern​

  • Winterberry

  • Broomsedge

  • Spicebush Hackberry

  • Saltmarsh mallow Buttonbush

  • Swamp milkweed

  • Silky dogwood​

  • Southern arrowwood

  • Red elderberry

  • Highbush blueberry

  • Tussock cotton grass

  • Sweet pepperbush​

Where to put the soil you’ve dug

Time to dig!​

After you have planned out your garden size, shape, and location, it is time to start digging. You can use a hose, string, or spray paint to outline the shape of your garden to help keep you digging in the right place.

As you dig, use the soil you are removing to create the berm around three sides of your garden to hold the water in.

The fourth side isn’t built up because that is where the water flows in. You want the bottom of your garden to be level. You can ‘eyeball’ it — or get out a level to be sure.​

Planting the garden​

Since a rain garden is flooded periodically, you need plants that can live in both wet and dry conditions. You should also consider if your site is sunny or shady when selecting plants.​

You might want a variety of height, color, and blooming period as well. This way your rain garden is not only stopping stormwater runoff but is also providing a beautiful landscape to enjoy all summer long.

Plant a rain garden and you’ll be excited when it rains!​

Where to dig