Jordan Goldstein And Shane Wagner

A rain garden is… A Filter- Rain Gardens filter runoff water. A Refrigerator- water that comes off impervious surfaces is cooled as it soaks into the ground. A Restaurant- It provides food for insects, butterflies, birds, hummingbirds, small mammals, etc. A Habitat- It provides a home for many species of insects, butterflies, and small mammals.

How to make a rain garden. First you must figure out what soil to use Then estimate the area from which your garden will get rain. Multiply width times length of your rooftop, to get square feet. Add the square feet of paved areas. Remember, though, that different parts of your roof drain to different downspouts- you want to estimate only the square footage that will drain into your rain garden. Don’t forget roof overhangs. For sandy soil, your rain garden should be 20-30% of drain area. For example, if your roof and driveway measures 1200 square feet and all the rain from them will be used, your rain garden should be 20 to 30% of that, or square feet. (ex: 10’ x 24’) For clay soil, your rain garden should be about 60% of the drain area (Clay absorbs water very poorly; the varieties of rain garden plants that do well in clay take at least three years to get established. Soil replacement may be the best choice in clay soils.) If you improve your soil drainage and replace your soil with rain garden mix (50-60% sand, 20-30% topsoil, 20-30% compost), your rain garden should generally be about 20-30% of the square footage of your drain area.

Rain Garden Maintenance While the plants in your rain garden are young and becoming established they may require some supplemental water during dry periods, though this should only be the case for the first year. Some weeding may also be required the first year until the plants fill out and can out compete weeds. Once the rain garden has become established maintenance is minimal and will generally only include periodic mulching, pruning and thinning, and plant replacement. Be sure to inspect your rain garden periodically during and/or immediately after rainfall events to be sure the rain garden is working as designed.

Benefits of a rain garden Filter runoff pollution Recharge local groundwater Conserve water Improve water quality Protect rivers and streams Remove standing water in your yard Reduce mosquito breeding Increase beneficial insects that eliminate pest insects Reduce potential of home flooding Create habitat for birds & butterflies Survive drought seasons Reduce garden maintenance Enhance sidewalk appeal Increase garden enjoyment

Rain garden cost The cost of a rain garden can vary greatly. If you do all of the labor yourself, the cost will depend on the number and type of plants you use, as well as any additional materials you may have to purchase such as mulch, crushed stone, roof gutter downspout extensions, or tools for digging. If you hire a landscaper or someone else to install the rain garden the cost will be more and will be a function of the size and depth of the rain garden as well as the number and type of plants used.

Where can I get rain garden plants? Some rain garden plants are carried by many local perennial nurseries, as native species are becoming more popular for home and commercial gardening. Other rain garden plants can be purchased from native plant nurseries. You may also choose to transplant some suitable plants in your yard, or you could get divisions from a friend. Large quantities of rain garden plants must be ordered far in advance, as suppliers do not usually keep them on hand unless they have a ready market for them. Please do not collect your rain garden plants from wild populations. They may be growing everywhere, but they soon won't be if they are removed from the local landscape. Purchase your plants from a reputable nursery that produces them in a sustainable way.

What are native plants? Native plants are those that evolved naturally in North America. More specifically, native plants in a particular area are those that were growing naturally in the area before humans introduced plants from distant places. In eastern and central North America, native plants typically grew in communities with species adapted to similar soil, moisture, and weather conditions. Some of the widespread communities included oak-hickory-chestnut and beech- maple forests, tallgrass and shortgrass prairies, and freshwater marshes. Additional communities occupied specialized niches, including savannahs, fens, bogs, flood plains and alpine areas.

Why use native plants? Plants that are native to your area should need the least maintenance – they have adapted to the climate and rely on the insects that live in your area. Using little or no fertilizer and pesticides works toward our goal of improving water quality. There are many spectacularly beautiful plants that are native to North Carolina to choose from. Where you live in North Carolina and where you place your garden will determine what type of plants are best for you. Associated plant lists are available for different regions of North Carolina. Planting several species in your rain garden can create a long flowering season, and give your garden depth and dimension.

Where should I put a rain garden? The rain garden should be at least 10 feet from the house so infiltrating water doesn’t seep into the foundation. Do not place the rain garden directly over a septic system or near wells and underground utilities. It is better to build the rain garden in full or partial sun, not directly under a big tree. It may be tempting to put the rain garden in a part of the yard where water already ponds. Don’t! The goal of a rain garden is to encourage infiltration, and your yard’s wet patches show where infiltration is slow. Water should only pool in your rain garden for several hours after rainfall before it is absorbed. This is important for both the plants as well as mosquito concerns.