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Building a rain garden in your yard is an easy and inexpensive way for you to reduce storm water pollution. Rain gardens can absorb as much as 30-40% more storm water run-off than a standard lawn. “Run-off� is excess water that washes the grass clippings, leaves, fertilizer and other pollutants from hard surfaces and carries it into our water system.
Rain gardens are located to receive run-off, and are designed with a dip at the center that collects rain and snow melt for a short period of time. This allows the water to seep naturally into the ground, filtering contaminants, recharging the groundwater supply and reducing storm water run-off. A rain garden also creates a beautiful place that is attractive to birds, butterflies and people.
Check out the brochure and rain garden links to learn more about rain gardens and how to make them. (Note: Some organizations spell rain garden as one word, raingarden.) -Janice Purcell, Master Gardener
view a rain garden building brochure (PDF, 200 K)
Washington Conservation District
Blue Thumb: Planting for Clean Water