Building a rain garden is one of the easiest and most cost efficient things we can do to manage wet weather and reduce our contribution to stormwater pollution.
By capturing clean rainwater from roofs, driveways and sidewalks and diverting it into a great looking rain garden where it can slowly soak into the ground, filter contaminants and keep quantities of clean water from going down the sewer system we'll have a great looking garden that puts water in its rightful place...in the ground!
A rain garden can mimic the natural absorption and pollutant removal activities of a forest, or a meadow or a prairie and can absorb runoff more efficiently, sometimes as much as 30% - 40% more than a standard lawn. Capturing rainwater in a rain garden, holding the water for a short time and then slowly releasing it into the soil can reduce the rush of a large storm – quickly, neatly and naturally.
Rain gardens are one very good option that helps to lower the impact of impervious surfaces and polluted runoff because they are low-tech, inexpensive, sustainable and esthetically beautiful.
Weeding & Mulching
All rain gardens need occasional weeding and replenishing of mulch. As the garden matures, weeds will be pushed out by the growing plants. The mulch will need to be raked periodically and replenished or freshened next Spring and each Spring after that.
Seasonal Clean-Up
In the Spring, we’ll also need to clean-up our rain garden by removing any dead material and replenishing the mulch. In the Fall it’s important we remove some of the dead vegetation. We might wish to leave some of the material and seed baring plants for bird habitat in the winter however.
Education
A volunteer education team will conduct an annual Rain Garden Academy to educate, motivate and assist individuals, schools, businesses, civic groups and others to establish rain gardens across the Illinois River Watershed.
Rain gardens are not completely maintenance-free. After our rain garden is planted and established, we may never need to water it or add any type of fertilizer or pesticide. It is important, however, when first established to check on young plants frequently. Maintenance then consists of weeding, clean-up and re-mulching the garden in the early Spring and Fall.
