Grow An Eco Friendly Rain Garden

A rain garden is not very different from a traditional garden, it’s just a far more eco-efficient garden. Rain gardens make smart use of rain and stormwater runoff and contain smart plant selections.

Key rain garden tips

• It's easier to grow a smaller, rather than larger rain garden.
• Rain garden sites located close to runoff sources are best.
• Rain gardens are designed to withstand moisture extremes and can hold up even when exposed to nitrogen (found in runoff water). See a poster that explains rain garden design.
• There are two basic types of rain gardens – under-drained and self-contained.
• Rain gardens are slightly depressed into the earth so that rain water may be better soaked up when it rains or storms.
• Water-friendly plants, or at least plants that can stand a bit more water are used in rain gardens.
• Water in a rain garden is stored via design. I.e. a rain garden will save water from a storm and use it over a few days.
• It helps to have slope to the land/yard for a proper rain garden, but it’s not a necessity. If needed changes to the land can be made - slopes added and such although a garden design pro is likely a good idea at this point.

To learn more about rain gardens visit the following links:

• Rain Garden Design Templates
• All about rain gardens
• Check with your local community extension office as well because they may have an area-specific gardening guide about rain gardens.