- Choose the Right Site for Your Rain Garden. Take a good look at your yard: Do any low areas in it have a little standing water after a heavy ...
- Prepare Your Soil. Remove any lawn or other vegetation from the spot where you'd like to create a rain garden. ...
- Select Native Flowering Plants and Grasses. The best rain garden plants are those that can tolerate wet sites. Many native plants from boggy habitats work well.
- Add in Marginal Plants. Other good plant choices for a rain garden include marginal plants that aren't necessarily native. ...
- Plan and Plant Your Rain Garden. In the final step to designing a rain garden, arrange the plants how you'd like them, spacing according to label directions.
How to create an effective rain garden?
You'll need to consider:
- Location of the garden.
- Size you need.
- Shape you want.
- Type of soil you have.
- Plants you’d like to include.
- How much runoff you typically have. You may need more than one rain garden to accommodate the runoff.
How do you construct a rain garden?
Too Much Water Can Undermine Your Home
- Rain Garden Details. Create the rain garden by building a berm in a low spot in the yard, then build swales to channel runoff from the gutters and higher parts ...
- Location and Slope. Check the slope of your yard with a level and a long, straight board. ...
- Garden Depth. ...
- Garden Size. ...
- TLC for the First Year
How can I create a rain garden?
Create the rain garden by building a berm in a low spot in the yard, then build swales to channel runoff from the gutters and higher parts of the yard. The water is then absorbed into the soil through the network of deep plant roots. Use a mix of plants adapted to your area and to the different water depths. Step 2.
How to make a rain garden. a basic guide?
- Use a hose pipe or string to mark out the shape and size.
- Remove all of the vegetation.
- Aim for a saucer shape, with a flat base and make sure the levels are correct.
- The soil you dig out can be used to make the lip on 3 sides of the garden.
- The lip or berm will keep the water in the rain garden. ...
How do you build a good rain garden?
How to Build a Rain GardenChoose the Site. Your rain garden should be located at least 10 feet from the house. ... Prepare the Soil. Once you've identified the new garden's location, remove the sod and dig a shallow depression approximately 6" deep. ... Choose Native Plants. Native plants are the best choice for rain gardens.
How do you shape a rain garden?
2:046:03How Do I Build a Rain Garden? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipStarting with the highest edge. And working around the garden. With a string at the base of theMoreStarting with the highest edge. And working around the garden. With a string at the base of the highest stake use a string level to mark the height on each stick around the perimeter of the garden.
What is the recommended shape of a residential rain garden?
Ovals, kidneys, and teardrops often look best, but rain gardens can also be long and skinny. Use a garden hose to test possible shapes. Once you settle on a design, decide where the water will flow in and where any overflow will exit.
How deep does a rain garden need to be?
between four and eight inches deepA typical rain garden is between four and eight inches deep. A rain garden more than eight inches deep might pond water too long, look like a hole in the ground, and present a tripping hazard for somebody stepping into it.
How do you make a rain garden step by step?
How to Build a Rain Garden in 10 Steps#1: Location, Location, Location. ... #2: Calculate and mark the size of the rain garden. ... #3: Dig the depression and grade the area. ... #4: Form a berm on the downhill side. ... #5: Aerate the bottom of the bowl. ... #6: Double-check the infiltration rate. ... #7: Add compost soil for planting.More items...•
What are the different layers of a rain garden?
The rain garden consists of a vegetated or stone ponding area, a mulch layer, a planting soil layer, a sand bed, and a gravel base. The multiple layers work together to filter pollutants from water, allowing it to infiltrate into the groundwater supply uncontaminated.
What soil is best for rain gardens?
A good mix for a rain garden is 30% sand, 30–40% loamy topsoil and 30% organic material from yard waste compost. This mixture must be tilled into the existing soil to ensure proper drainage conditions.
What materials do you need for a rain garden?
Materials Required1-1/2-in. river rock.Decorative rocks and boulders.Landscape fabric.Native plants and grasses.PVC pipe.
How do you edge a rain garden?
Edging & Mulching: Ensure the edge is buried low enough for runoff to flow over it into the garden. Use mulch to retain moisture, prevent erosion, control weeds, and nourish the soil. Spread 3 inches of pine straw or shredded wood mulch over the rain garden taking care not to damage plants.
What is the difference between a bioswale and a rain garden?
DISADVANTAGES OF RAIN GARDENS If your rain garden is not functioning properly, you may have issues with drainage. Rainwater runoff will accumulate in the basin, which can lead to backups and flooding. An improperly designed basin can also lead to increased erosion rates.Apr 6, 2020Are Rain Gardens a Good Solution for Stormwater Management?https://www.horstexcavating.com › news-and-blog › are-r...https://www.horstexcavating.com › news-and-blog › are-r...Search for: What are the disadvantages of a rain garden?
What kind of sand do you use in a rain garden?
Three plants. Daylilies (Hemerocallis), which may not be natives but can keep your rain garden in bloom over a long season if you plant early, midseason, and late varieties. Assorted heights and a rainbow of colors are available. Zones 4 to 11.Jun 15, 2022Creating a Rain Garden: Two Designs and Plant Listhttps://www.almanac.com › rain-garden-design-and-plantshttps://www.almanac.com › rain-garden-design-and-plantsSearch for: How many plants should be in a rain garden?
How do you build a rain garden on a slope?
The rain garden should be located in a place that can collect as much impervious area (driveway, roof, sidewalks) runoff as possible. The best areas are generally where water naturally drains but doesn't hold water. It should also be located at least 5'-15' away from your home.Rain Gardens - Reduce Your Stormwaterhttps://stormwater.allianceforthebay.org › installations › ra...https://stormwater.allianceforthebay.org › installations › ra...Search for: Where is the best place to put a rain garden?
How do you make a garden swale?
Although they sound similar, bioswales are designed to slow down rainwater through a curving or linear path, while rain gardens are designed to capture, store, and infiltrate rainwater in a bowl shape.
How does a rain garden work?
Rain gardens can work in most climates, but are most effective in regions with a natural groundwater hydrology—that is, areas with deep soils that drink in water rather than rocky areas that force rain to run overland. Most of the United States is like this.
WHAT IS A RAIN GARDEN?
A rain garden is a shallow planted depression designed to hold water until it soaks into the soil. A key feature of eco-friendly landscape design, rain gardens—also known as bio-infiltration basins—are gaining credibility and converts as an important solution to stormwater runoff and pollution. Here we’ll show you how to make a rain garden fit handsomely into a landscape and still fulfill all of its environmental functions.
Why are rain gardens important?
Rain gardens are intended to counteract both the unnatural runoff patterns in urban and suburban areas ( too many roads, too much paving, too many hard surfaces) as well as the increased crud levels found in them.
Can you put more than one rain garden?
Put in more than one rain garden for repetition and continuity. If it works with your overall design, create a little rain garden for each downspout.
Do rain gardens have to be separate?
A rain garden doesn’t have to be separate from other plantings. Consider making a depression within a perennial bed or shrub border (especially if space is tight and you don’t have room for a larger rain garden that stands alone).
Do rain gardens need a specific shape?
A rain garden does not need a specific shape to function properly so feel free to be creative. A rain garden can be as formal or as wild as you like—it’s all about the plant selection. Monocultural rain gardens are okay as long as that fits with your overall design.
Can you have a rain garden as a monoculture?
A rain garden can be as formal or as wild as you like—it’s all about the plant selection. Monocultural rain gardens are okay as long as that fits with your overall design. (See below for some of our favorite rain garden plants.)
How to make a rain garden?
Create the rain garden by building a berm in a low spot in the yard, then build swales to channel runoff from the gutters and higher parts of the yard. The water is then absorbed into the soil through the network of deep plant roots. Use a mix of plants adapted to your area and to the different water depths. Step 2.
How does a rain garden work?
A rain garden is basically a plant pond, that is, a garden bed that you plant with special deep-rooted species. These plants help the water rapidly seep into the soil , away from your house and out of your hair. You direct the rainwater from the downspouts to the garden via a swale (a stone channel) or plastic piping. The garden captures the water and , when properly designed, drains it into the soil within a day. You don’t have to worry about creating a mosquito haven; the water drains before mosquitoes even have time to breed.
How to protect the environment in a rain garden?
Nurture the land in your yard and protect the environment by channeling rain water and runoff from gutters into a rain garden planted with deep-rooted, colorful native plants.
How to channel water from a downspout to a garden?
Lay attractive river rock (1-1/2 in. diameter and, if desired, larger decorative rocks) or run an underground 4-in. PVC pipe to channel water from a downspout to your garden. Use PVC for a better flow if the garden is more than 30 ft. from a downspout.
How to determine the size of a rain garden?
The easiest way to calculate this is to dig a small test hole in the garden area, fill it with water, and see how fast it drains. Then do a rough calculation of how much runoff will be coming down the gutters (see 'Garden size' below).
What happens if there is heavy rain?
If there’s an especially heavy rainfall, excess water may overflow the rain garden and run into the storm sewer system. Even so, the rain garden will have done its job. It will have channeled water away from your foundation and reduced the load on the sewer system.
How big is a 6 in. garden bed?
If your soil porosity can handle a 6-in.-deep (that is, 1/2 ft.) garden bed, dividing by 1/2 ft. gives you a 100-sq.-ft. (10 x 10 ft.) garden size. However, it's OK to vary the size. A smaller garden can still yield big benefits.
How to make a rain garden?
Plan and Plant Your Garden. In the final step to make a rain garden, arrange your plants, spacing according to label directions. Water well and mulch. As you choose plants to make a rain garden, consider planting in larger drifts for best overall impact.
Why do we need rain gardens?
Rain gardens filter runoff and protect groundwater, especially after big rains. They also add unexpected beauty to low spots that tend to collect water and draw wildlife. Here's how to make a rain garden in your own landscape. By Kelly Roberson. Updated May 13, 2019.
Why are rain gardens important?
Rain gardens are both beautiful and practical: They filter rainwater runoff and provide a home to birds and butterflies. Plus, they're easy to maintain. Here's how to make a rain garden in five easy steps. Use your rain garden to manage runoff in an urban garden—and find even more inspiring ...
What soil is best for a rain garden?
Clay soils work best to make a rain garden because they slow the percolation of water, holding water while allowing it to slowly drain.
What plants can grow in a rain garden?
Those plants include 'Bengal Tiger' canna, scarlet rose mallow, yellow flag iris or Siberian iris, cardinal flower, and obedient plant.
Can you plant native plants in a rain garden?
As you make a rain garden, stick to plants that can tolerate wet sites. Many native plants work best, and seedlings are easier to establish than direct-sown seed when you are going to make a rain garden so you don't have to worry about the seed washing away. For that reason, native plant plugs work better than seeds.
How to make a rain garden with a flat bottom?
Create a flat bottom so that water will percolate down evenly. If the rain garden is on a slope, you can pile some of the excavated soil into a berm on the low side to retain the water. For stability, stomp the berm soil down well and make the base at least 2 feet wide and the top at least 1 foot wide.
How does a rain garden work?
The plants and amended soil in a rain garden work together to filter runoff. Generally, a rain garden is comprised of three zones that correspond to the tolerance plants have to standing water; the better a plant can handle "wet feet," the closer it is placed to the center of the garden.
What is the percolation rate of a rain garden?
If the percolation rate is less than 0.1, the site isn't suitable for a rain garden.
How big should a rain garden be?
If you want an impressive-looking garden, make it at least 150 square feet. Ovals, kidneys, and teardrops often look best, but rain gardens can also be long and skinny. Use a garden hose to test possible shapes. Once you settle on a design, decide where the water will flow in and where any overflow will exit.
How to keep corrugated tubing from curling up?
Line the area underneath with stones to prevent erosion. You can also place stones over and beside the pipe to hide it and to keep corrugated tubing from curling up.
How much does it cost to strip a lawn?
Strip away any lawn by slicing off the roots with a sharp spade directed at as low an angle as you can manage, or use a sod cutter, which you can rent for about $80 a day. You should be able to roll up sections of the stripped lawn as if they were pieces of carpet.
What to ask your local Extension Office about soil?
Ask your local Cooperative Extension Office for specifics about soil mix, garden size, and plants for your area. Then you're ready to build.
How to keep rain garden healthy?
Scout out your yard for an ideal rain garden spot, then dig a small basin to fill with compost and add your new plants. Once you've planted your rain garden, weed and mulch it routinely to keep your rain garden healthy.
How big is a rain garden?
Plot your garden's size using stakes and string. Typically, rain gardens range between 100 to 300 square feet (30.5-91.4 square meters). Any smaller, and your garden won't have room for plant variety. Build larger, and your garden will be hard to dig and ensure an ideal slope.
How to keep plants from floating in the rain?
Add mulch to your garden for the first two years. Mulch will keep the soil moist and helps nurture your plants while they adjust to the soil. Heavier mulches (like gorilla hair mulch and shredded wood or rock) are preferable in rain gardens to prevent them from floating away. A 2-3 inch (5-7.6 centimeters) layer covering the topsoil is preferred.
Why are rain gardens so low maintenance?
Your rain garden will be most low-maintenance with regional plants because they will be adapted to the climate and local rainfall fluctuations. [7]
How to prevent erosion in rain gardens?
Add shrubs for erosion protection. Plants with dense root systems hold rain gardens together best. Shrubs generally have developed root systems that soak up excess water and prevent land erosion. Look for shrubs best adapted to your soil conditions. Most shrubs prefer well-draining soil to clays.
What is the best soil for a rain garden?
If all the soil in your area is non-permeable, you can create suitable soil on your own. The ideal rain garden soil will be 30% sand, 30-40% loamy topsoil, and 30-40% organic matter. Till this mixture into existing soil for proper drainage.
Why are rain gardens important?
Rain gardens can also reduce the amount of pollutants washing into local ponds and wetlands. They are ideal for an environmentally-friendly gardening option.
What is a rain garden?
A rain garden is a shallow, bowl-shape area that collects water runoff from impervious surfaces such as downspouts, sump pumps, paved areas, roofs, driveways, walkways, and lawns. Often, the heavy rain from a thunderstorm comes down so quickly that the water doesn't have time to soak into the ground, which means the water isn't even available in the soil for thirsty plants to take up. A rain garden creates a "trap" for that water!
How does rain garden help the environment?
A cleaner environment.
What Are the Best Plants for a Rain Garden?
Learn more about rain gardens—plus, find two rain garden plant lists and designs featuring plants for both sun and shade.
What holds water in the ground?
Shorter, well-established, deeply-rooted plants hold soil and direct water into the ground.
What plants help with storm water?
Plants of all types and sizes help to manage storm water, so it’s a good idea to plan for a range of species! Trees and large shrubs deflect rainfall, slowing it down before it reaches the ground, which allows it to better soak into the soil and not run off immediately.
How do trees and shrubs help the soil?
Trees and large shrubs deflect rainfall, slowing it down before it reaches the ground, which allows it to better soak into the soil and not run off immediately.
Why are rain gardens important?
Like a native forest, rain gardens use heavy rain to recharge the aquifer, support wildlife habitat, and also filter out toxic materials before they can pollute streams. Whether you deal with drought, the rising cost of municipal water, or simply want to make the best use of our water, Mother Nature is providing this precipitation for free.
What is a rain garden?
A rain garden is a landscaped feature that replaces an area of your lawn in order to collect the stormwater (rain and melted snow) that runs off your grass, roof and driveway. This shallow depression has loose, deep soil that absorbs and naturally filters the runoff, preventing it from entering the storm drain system and, eventually, our waterways.
How do rain gardens help the environment?
Just to name a few! These pollutants wash into ditches and down storm drains, and end up in local waterways. Rain gardens capture and filter stormwater, helping to reduce runoff. While an individual garden may seem like a small thing, collectively they can produce substantial benefits to the community. -Text Credit: Christopher Obropta, Ph.D, P.E., Extension Specialist, Rutgers Cooperative Extension, Water Resources Program
Why is mulch important in a garden?
Mulch helps to keep out weeds, resists drought and gives the garden a tidy appearance. Mulch is especially important for rain gardens as it also helps to absorb and filter the rain water. Your layer of mulch should not be more than 10 centimetres deep.
Why do you need to mulch in a rain garden?
Check the rain garden for areas of exposed soil and re-mulch as needed. Mulch helps to absorb water and protect the soil underneath.
What is the inlet area in a rain garden?
You need to create the inlet (area for water to enter the rain garden) and the overflow (area for water to exit the rain garden in case of overfilling).
How far away should a rain garden be from a septic system?
Rain gardens should never be placed within 4 metres of a septic bed, and if uphill of a septic system, they should be at least 15 metres away. Rain gardens placed near any type of steep slope (more than 15%) have the potential to cause land slides because of the excess water being absorbed into the soil.
Why do rain gardens need to be wet?
This is because rain gardens experience alternate flooding (following a large rain storm) and drought (during periods of low rainfall).
How do you make a rain garden?
These simple steps will help you to build a rain garden in the ground of your plot:
Who designed the Urban Rain Garden?
The Urban Rain Garden, designed by Rhiannon Williams for the RHS Hampton Court Flower Show 2017. (Image credit: Sarah Cuttle/RHS) You can also use a combination of raised garden bed ideas with downpipes to collect all that excess rainwater from the roof of garages, porches, or sheds.
How long can rain gardens survive?
So, this is best suited to native plants that can survive. As the RHS advises, they need to withstand waterlogging for up to 48 hours at a time. More drought-tolerant plants can be used around the edges, where it will dry out quicker, and around the perimeter lip (otherwise known as the berm).
What is the best plant for a rain garden?
Pick the prettiest of plants. Siberian iris is a lovely pick for rain gardens. (Image credit: Future) As we've mentioned, when it comes to plants for rain gardens, you're almost spoilt for choice. However, it's important to take your regional rainful into consideration, as well as how quickly your rain garden drains.
Why do you need lots of plants in a rain garden?
Using plenty of plants will ensure that your rain garden looks beautiful. Plus, it will benefit your wildlife garden ideas too, encouraging the likes of butterflies and bees to pay your plot a visit.
Where can excess rainwater be channeled?
This is a perfect example of how excess rainwater can be channeled from raised planters into drains or rain garden beds in the ground.
What is a trill in a planter?
A small trill connects the planters together, funnelling the flow of water as the volume increases. Water-loving plants are positioned in the nearest planter to the pipe – where the water will be deepest during a storm – whilst perennials that are less tolerant are used in the more shallow containers in the garden (there are more positioned just out of shot).