Create a rain garden

 

 

Occasionally someone complains about a low spot in the yard where grass won’t thrive.  Here are some Florida Friendly ideas for that spot.

 

 

What is a rain garden?  

 

A rain garden is a shallow depression that is planted with deep-rooted plants and grasses. It is located to receive runoff from hard a surface such as a roof, a downspout, a sidewalk or a driveway.  Rain gardens slow down the rush of water from these hard impervious surfaces, hold the water for a short period of time and allow it to naturally percolate into the ground. 

 

A rain garden is a swale—a depression, and swales are one of the cheapest and easiest water storage methods that can be installed almost anywhere. They always have been—the use of swales is not a new idea.

Rain gardens greatly reduce storm runoff and reduce the impact of what is found in storm water as it enters local storm runoff systems.  

 

 

Why do I want one?  

Polluted runoff is a big problem in urban areas.  Much of the ground in developed areas is covered with hard surfaces such as roofs, streets, parking lots and sidewalks.  In the countryside, and prior to intensive development, water naturally flows to low areas in the landscape and slowly seeps through the soil and into the aquifer.  

 

In urban areas, water flows quickly across hard surfaces, picking up pollutants -- from organic particles, pesticides, fertilizers, gas, oil and other types of residue -- before dumping into storm drains. Once in the storm sewer system the water flows into local lakes and streams.  In many cases, pollutant loaded urban stormwater is not treated or cleaned in any way.

 

By mimicking the natural absorption and pollutant removal abilities of a forest, meadow or prairie, rain gardens can absorb runoff, and do so as much as 40% more efficiently than a lawn.  Directing rainwater to a rain garden, holding it and then allowing it to slowly release into the soil, allows water from a large storm to be slowed and cleaned – quickly, neatly and naturally.

 

This saves money, keeps our water supply cleaner, and, at the present time, it is fashionable!  Green is in and I’m sure you have heard.

 

Rain Garden Design

 

The first consideration when installing a swale is location.  It needs to be positioned where rain coming off the roof will gravitate to the rain garden.  You may need to help make this happen with small indentations leading to the garden.  You might also use berms (little hills or raised areas) to direct the water. 

Traditionally, rain gardens have been meadow-like; planted with wildflowers and native plants.  This is because these plants usually are tolerant of periodic flooding followed by periods of relative drought.  Some suggestions for Central and South Florida are:  Gulf muhlygrass, Golden canna, and Loblolly Bay , Sweetbay Magnolia, Wax myrtle, and Dahoon holly.  Trees are especially desirable, if you have the space, because one tree can reduce stormwater runoff by 4,000 gallons a  year.  Swales lined with native trees are an extremely-cost effective, and often overlooked, low-tech water conservation technique. [See below for a larger list.]

If you think a rain garden sounds sloppy and messy, you may not want to choose a swale full of wild flowers, native ferns and native trees.  A rain garden can consist of one stand of ornamental grass.  Remember, a rain garden is just a swale—a low place for rainwater to sit and soak in. 

 

Even a low place with rocks will work- it will be a dry creek bed when the weather is dry, but have the look of a little creek after the rain.

 

Most important—the design of the rain garden should be in keeping with the overall design of your garden.  If you like crisp edges and symmetry, by all means border your rain garden.  

 

 

Creating a rain garden

 

A rain garden can be large or small—size can be determined by your needs and aesthetic considerations.  Several small rain gardens near downspouts can be effective.  The depth need be no more than eight to ten inches and even that can be graded.  In fact, providing low areas in your present flower beds is also a help.

 

Any water that seeps into the ground instead of running into a storm sewer helps water quality. A rain garden of any size has a positive impact.  

 

Maintaining your rain garden

 

No special maintenance required.   Use mulch, don’t let the soil become compacted (not likely with out sandy soil), don’t water too much and enjoy the special feeling that comes from helping out the environment.

 

And please remember the nine principles of Florida Friendly Landscaping:  

 

 

For more information on rain gardens you can find many sites on the internet including raingardens.org and, of course our own website,  http://okeechobee.ifas.ufl.edu.  If you need additional information on Florida Friendly Yards, please email us at okeechobee@ifas.ufl.edu or call us at 863-763-6469.  Local residents can stop by our office at 458 Hwy 98 North in Okeechobee, and visit our Okeechobee County Master Gardeners from 1 to 5 PM on Tuesday afternoons. 

 

 

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