Save Water with a Rain Garden
The indigenous soil and forests in many regions shop, sieve, and gradually release fresh, clean water to streams, wetlands and estuaries. A rich variety of life at sea and freshwater, as well as on land, requires clean water to flourish.
As human populations intrusion and change the natural settings, from forests and land are replaced with roads, roofs and other hard surfaces. When it rains or snows, more water flows from these areas unaffected areas, carrying petroleum, fertilizers, pesticides, sediment and other pollutants downstream. In fact, most of the flows of pollution in, wetlands and rivers comes from storm water (water that flows by developed). Added the volume of water and contaminants associated developed from the ground are damaging the water and harms aquatic life.
One possible solution is a type of landscape called the rain garden –
What is a rain garden?
A rain garden functions as a native forest harvesting, absorption, and filtering storm-water runoff from man made structures that do not allow water to soak in. Rain gardens are designed as low depressions that:
It can be formed and sizes to fit your landscape.
They are built with mixtures of soil that allow water to infuse in a rapid and healthy support the growth of plants.
They can be filled with a variety of plants to fit the surroundings.
Rain gardens are one of the most versatile and effective tools in a new approach to water management storm called low-impact development (LID). LID project may include a variety of tools to enjoy rainwater, reduce storm water runoff and filter pollutants. Some examples of these include permeable pavement, made-amended soil, vegetation roofs, systems for collecting rainwater and rain gardens.
Rain gardens provide multiple benefits, including:
Filter oil and grease from driveways, pesticides and fertilizers from lawns, and other pollutants before they reach the storm drain and, finally, streams, wetlands, lakes and marine waters.
Reduce flooding close to property, overflow in sewers, and erosion in streams to absorb water from impermeable surfaces.
To provide habitat for beneficial insects and birds.
Increase the amount of water that absorbs into the ground to recharge local groundwater.
Rain gardens are low maintenance, but not any maintenance. We worked hard to create your garden rain, and to keep it works well for you and look better, some regular care is required.
Unless it rains, the water until your plants are established. Once the deep root system has grown in the soil, will probably survive a drought. But until then, like any new plant perennials, they need water to get started.
Techniques for watering the rain gardens include:
Soaker hoses: Soaker hoses save water and can be covered with mulch to save even more.
Sprinklers: Place cans of tuna in a few locations around the rain garden and stop watering when there is 1 inch of water in cans.
Mulch your rain garden. Check the level of litter each year, 2-3 inches of shredded hardwood mulch should be applied in the spring, or if there are bare areas, more often. Mulch keeps the garden moist and spongelike, ready to absorb the rain. Mulch areas along the sides and bottom of the rain garden. This prevents a hardpan developing on the surface of the garden. Mulch protects plants in the garden as provided they receive, and makes it easier to remove.
Weed regularly. A well prepared rain garden is an ideal place for invasive plants to start growing. Here is where mulch comes in handy; will be easy to extract these small plants before they receive. Dig or pull weeds by the roots before going to seed.
Break strong flow of water. The area where water flows in your garden may, during the strong storms, eroding soil, mulch, and plants. A few strategically placed rocks, boulders or stone dams in this area of strong flow of water can break the strength and prevent this from happening.
Do not let sediment, soil, sand or debris flow in your garden rain. You can bury the plant, destroy the absorption capacity, and ruin all your efforts.
I remember, rain gardens can be an integral part of our storm-water management and environmental issues. Their use does not involve a lot of central planning. They do not require much space, can be fitted into oddball shapes, and can easily added to existing buildings. Nice looking, and not have to be an engineer to build one. Anyone can make a rain garden – including you!
April 30 2008 03:19 am | Environment
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