How To Make A Rain Garden - Seniorcare2share

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.

How deep does a rain garden need to be?

A 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.

What does a rain garden consist of?

A rain garden is a garden of native shrubs, perennials, and flowers planted in a small depression, which is generally formed on a natural slope. It is designed to temporarily hold and soak in rain water runoff that flows from roofs, driveways, patios or lawns.

Where should a rain garden be placed?

Your rain garden should be in the spot that’ll supply it with the most rainfall runoff possible. Start by identifying a location that you would like to add a garden. Ideally this location would be downhill from a downspout or paved area, or wherever most of your yard’s rainwater collects and runs off.

How much water can a rain garden hold?

If your rain garden (aka swale) is 10′ wide and 8-1/2′ long, its area (10′ x 8.5′) is 85 square feet. So at 12” deep, it will hold about 620 gallons of rainwater. If you dig it down just 6” deep, your rain garden will hold only half of that, or just 310 gallons of water.

Do the rain gardens have standing water?

No. Because rain gardens are shallow and are only built on soils with sufficient drainage, they are designed to dry out before mosquitoes can reproduce. Will my rain garden have standing water? Rain gardens are designed to infiltrate water in about a day.

How much do rain gardens cost?

Cost. The cost associated with installing residential rain gardens average about three to four dollars per square foot, depending on soil conditions and the density and types of plants used in the installation. Commercial, industrial and institutional site costs can range between ten to forty dollars per square foot.

Can you plant vegetables in a rain garden?

A specially designed raingarden can even be used to grow vegetables. A vegetable raingarden is a specially prepared garden designed to receive and filter stormwater run-off from roofs. When built in a planter box, a vegetable raingarden can be positioned to collect roof water from a diverted downpipe.

When should you plant a rain garden?

Although a rain garden can be installed anytime the ground is not frozen, spring and fall are the best times to start your garden. In spring, the soil is easier to dig and the rainy weather means less initial watering.

How do you maintain a rain garden?

Key Maintenance Tips Water regularly to promote plant growth especially during the first two years and dry spells. Inspect site following rainfall events. Prune and weed to maintain appearance. Replace mulch as needed. Soil fertilization is unnecessary as rain gardens are designed to absorb excess nutrients.

Which plants soak up lots of water?

10 Impressive Plants That Absorb Lots of Water 1 – Ferns. Many different ferns can tolerate excessive moisture in the ground and they can be planted at the edge of ponds or in very wet areas. 2 – Lily of the Valley. What is this? 3 – Daylilies. 4 – Indian Grass. 5 – Cattails. 6 – Iris. 7 – Elephant Ear. 8 – Monkey Flower.

How do you deal with standing water in your yard?

9 ways to get rid of standing water in yard Re-grade. Professional landscapers can provide you with a survey of your lawn’s trouble spots, natural drains, and channels. De-thatch. Aerate your lawn. Give your soil a boost. Find the hardpan. Extend downspouts. Raise the soil. Install a French drain.

How do you build a rain garden in clay soil?

Try using a 2:1 ratio of the drainage area to the surface area of your garden (most rain gardens in better soils use approximately a 4:1 ratio). For instance, if your garden will be draining a 200 sq. ft. of rooftop, plan the surface area of your garden to be 100 sq.

Do rain gardens attract mosquitoes?

Will a Rain Garden Attract Mosquitoes? Water should stand in a rain garden no longer than 24 hours after the rain stops. Mosquitoes cannot complete their breeding cycle in this length of time, so a rain garden should not increase mosquito populations.

How do you size a rain garden?

Identify the section of roof that will drain into the downspout. Measure the length and width of this area. Take measurements of other hard surfaces such as driveways, parking areas, or sidewalks that may drain into the rain garden. Repeat measurements of lawn that noticeably drain into the proposed rain gar- den.

What are 3 benefits of rain gardens?

Rain garden benefits include pollution control, flooding protection, habitat creation and water conservation.

How do rain gardens prevent flooding?

Rain gardens fill with stormwater and allow the water to slowly fil- ter into the ground rather than running off into storm drains, and eventually into streams and lakes. Rain gardens reduce peak storm flows, help- ing to prevent stream bank erosion and lower- ing the risk for local flooding.

What are some benefits of creating a rain garden?

A well placed rain garden reduces runoff and flooding, and filters pollutants carried in stormwater runoff. Along with the municipal benefits and the conservation of a valuable natural resource, rain gardens create excellent habitat for birds and butterflies.

How do I make a rain garden in my backyard?

What are the important parts 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 is the purpose of a Bioswale?

Bioswales are vegetated, shallow, landscaped depressions designed to capture, treat, and infiltrate stormwater runoff as it moves downstream.