Rain Gardens

Catching water in a rain garden allows it to slowly filter into the ground. This means less rainwater is lost into our storm sewers which also means there is less flooding and erosion in our streams. Rain gardens can absorb 30% more water than the same size area of lawn.

What a beautiful way to improve the quality of water in our lakes and streams!

Keeping water on site and letting it “perc” into the soil also means more water is available to recharge the water table underground.

As a primer and resource on planting your own rain garden, Water Quality Public Education Committee member, the city of Kansas City, Missouri Water Services produced “A Resident’s Reference Guide to Creating a Rain Garden”»
 

What to plant in your Rain Garden

Use native plants!

Natives are a natural for this because they tolerate short periods of standing water, are drought-tolerant, and their deep roots make it easy for water to move down into the soil.

Partial shade

These plants do best in areas where they will receive between four and six hours of sun per day. Morning sun and afternoon shade is best.

Shade Garden
  1. Virginia Wild Rye
  2. Blue Lobelia
  3. Rose Turtlehead
  4. Copper Iris
  5. Celandine Poppy
  6. Cardinal Flower
  7. Sweet Coneflower
  8. River Oats
  9. Wild Ageratum
  10. Tussock Sedge

Full sun

These plants do best when they can receive six or more hours of sun per day.

Sun Garden
  1. Lanceleaf Coreopsis
  2. Little Bluestem
  3. Prairie Blazing Star
  4. Marsh Milkweed
  5. Soft Rush
  6. Blue Sage
  7. Blue Flag
  8. Sideoats Grama
  9. New England Aster
  10. Wild Quinine
  11. Black-Eyed Susan

How to Build a Rain Garden

Selecting a Location

  • The most logical location for your rain garden is in an existing low spot in your yard.
  • Place your garden where downspouts will drain into it, directing water with a shallow swale if necessary.
  • Place your rain garden at least 10 feet from a home or building to keep water from seeping into and damaging the foundation.

Building the rain garden

It’s simple! Just follow three easy steps:

  1. Start by digging a 4-8” depression with gradually sloping sides as large in circumference as you like. (A good rule of thumb is to size your garden at 30 percent of the area of the roof from which it will be collecting water.) A 4-8” depth will allow water to be captured, but will dry between rain events.

    If you prefer to hold water in your garden in drier times, dig a portion a little deeper, say 18” in depth. Test your soil’s ability to hold water by filling the hole with water. If it drains out, you may want to install a plastic liner and place the plants around the liner.
     
  2. Plant natives recommended for our area.
  3. Add untreated, shredded hardwood mulch to a depth of 3” on all of the bare soil around
    the plants to prevent erosion while your natives are establishing.

Maintenance

While your natives are establishing their roots, you’ll need to water them about every other day. This should be done for the first two to three weeks, or until the plants show that they are growing and doing well. When natives are established, they require little or no additional watering!

Remember not to fertilize natives. Fertilizer causes them to grow too tall and fall over. It also stimulates weed growth, creating competition for your natives.

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