Rain Gardens
A rain garden is a planted depression in your
yard that captures rainwater from roofs, driveways
and walkways where rain water cannot be absorbed
by the ground. The rain garden reduces runoff by
allowing rainwater to slowly soak into the ground instead
of flowing to storm drains and creeks. This reduces erosion, water pollution and flooding.
A rain garden is
not a pond, but more
of an earthen sponge
that soaks up runoff
in a matter of hours.
The garden is dry
most of the time.
A simple percolation
test shows how fast
your soil drains.
Rain gardens usually are filled with native plants. Why natives? Because they evolved to fit their environment. They are naturally drought, flood and
pest resistant in their native region. That
translates to less work for the novice gardener and the pro, once all the initial
work is done.
Remember before you dig to call the Ohio Utilities Protection Service (OUPS) at 1-800-362-2764 to find out if there are any buried pipes or lines.
"How To" Guide
The Mill Creek Watershed Council of Communities, a member of the Greater Cincinnati Rain Garden Alliance, has information on rain gardens, typical plants, and a how to guide on their website.