Rain Garden: Steps to Create & its Benefits

A rain garden is a depression made and deep rooted native plants are planted along with some grasses. It is a flat cavity constructed to receive over flow of water from surfaces like side walk, roof and a driveway. Rain gardens holds the over flow water for short duration of times and enables to penetrate the water into the ground.

Steps to create a rain garden

Following are some basic steps to build your own rain garden:

choose the right location • First rule in building a rain garden is that it should be placed about 10 feet away from your home to prevent flooding in the house. • Choose naturally occurring low spot in your yard such that the rain water gets directed in to the garden. Prefer a location which is either fully or partially in sun.

Measure the drainage area properly • Ensure that the area chosen for rain garden receives water regularly during a rain storm. • In case of capturing water from roof or any other surface measuring of that area is required according to the type of soil.

Create an accurate design • Planning pf the garden should be done properly either for a small or large garden which helps to opt for the best appearance possible for your garden.

Choosing the right plants • Native plants should be selected for planting in rain gardens because they get adapted to the climate easily. • Choose plants which can grow well both in wet and dry conditions because the rain water will be present temporarily from time to time.

Garden layout • The garden shape and boundary have to be made depending on the design created.

Digging of the garden • Dig the garden approximately 4-4 inches deep. Using soil, build an edge around the garden if necessary.

Soil preparation • Improve the soil by adding compost up to 2-3 inches and mix it well.

Planting • Place the plants at appropriate places according to the design using a hand trowel. Ensure that the plants are placed 1 foot apart from each other.

Protecting the garden • Coarse, fibrous and shredded wood chips which wont blow or float away can be used for mulching the garden. • A 2-3 inch deep mulch have to be placed which helps to retain the moisture and keeping the weeds out.

Watering and making downspouts • After successful planting water the garden for alternate days for about two weeks in case of absence of rain. • Proper watering along with care and maintenance is required to maintain the quality of the rain garden.

Benefits of rain gardens • Rain gardens help to filter runoff pollution thus improving the water quality.? Help in increasing the amount of water, which penetrates in to the ground refreshing the regional and local aquifers. • Rain gardens enhance the value and attractiveness of your home and neighborhood. • Installing rain gardens avoids unnecessary standing of water in your yard and also reduce home flooding. • Rain gardens help create a habitat for birds, butterflies and other beneficial insects. • It also reduces mosquito breeding. • Rain gardens also help in reducing garden maintenance.

Rain gardens are very simple to create and associated with various benefits; and it is better to create a rain garden at your home by considering the above information provided for making an elegant space in your yard.