Creating a rain garden is surprisingly easy and the result can be quite attractive. It will reduce outdoor water use easily and effectively, and is a good example of the “watershed approach” to landscaping.
Under this approach, a yard becomes a mini watershed: the rain falls in the mountains (roof), where it
collects in streams (gutters), and flows (through downspouts) to the valleys below (garden). There it will
nourish trees and plants, instead of being lost to runoff.
Place the rain garden at least ten feet away from building foundations and neighbors. A sunny location, and one without tree roots, is ideal. Dig a trench from your downspout to the rain garden for the water to flow.
A rain garden should be big enough to catch at least the first inch of rainfall. Known as the “first flush,” this contains the majority of harmful pollutants.
Here is how to design your own rain garden to capture and retain that first flush:
In the bottom of your rain garden, select plants that don’t mind being flooded for a few days after a
storm. On the sides, place plants that prefer less wet soil:
For more information about the watershed approach to landscaping, check out Surfrider’s Ocean Friendly Gardens program.