THE GARDEN WAY: Planting a rain garden is a fun, eco-friendly idea

Prepare to be amazed by this week’s Flower Crown!

My garden is filled with an amazing array of flowers that create an ever-changing display of color and fragrance. Shows currently include vibrant pink daylilies, elegant Annabelle hydrangeas, sunny Gold Plate daisies, cheerful zinnias, classic Shasta daisies, charming nasturtiums, hot pink phlox and the stunning crocosmia.

These flowers are not only a feast for the eyes, but also drought-tolerant perennials, with the exception of annuals (nasturtiums and zinnias). Their captivating colors and inviting scents are irresistible to pollinators, making my garden a hub of activity.

Harnessing the power of water in your organic garden:

Imagine a storm so intense that it should only happen once a century. Now imagine that storm happening much more often, turning what used to be rare into a regular challenge. These “100-year storm” events, driven by a warming climate, mean that when it rains, it really pours. To combat this and ease the strain on overburdened stormwater systems, many cities have turned to rain gardens. These gardens not only manage stormwater efficiently, but also improve urban greening and curb appeal. Homeowners can join this green revolution by adding rain gardens to their landscapes.

Dip everything in:

Have you ever wondered where all the rain and melted snow in your garden goes? It’s a journey from your backyard to your local bodies of fresh water – lakes, rivers and streams. Every drop that isn’t absorbed in your garden travels to sidewalks, gutters and downspouts, picking up pollutants along the way. By reducing runoff from your yard, you significantly improve the health of our waterways.

How can we help? Install a rain garden!

Enter the rain garden! These ecological wonders work like nature’s sponges, absorbing rainwater and removing pollutants. Rain gardens are designed to capture and infiltrate rainwater runoff from impervious surfaces such as roofs, driveways and lawns. Planted with deep-rooted native species that tolerate both wet and dry conditions, these gardens provide multiple ecological benefits.

When planning a rain garden, consider plant diversity as you would in a pollinator garden, with plants that bloom from early spring to late summer and including butterfly host plants where possible. In addition, consider the different levels of soil moisture: a wet zone at the bottom, a middle zone and a drier edge.

For a successful rain garden, incorporate native clump-forming grasses and thatch, which are essential for soil stabilization and erosion prevention. These plants should be included throughout the garden. Additionally, small trees and shrubs can enhance larger rain gardens. Moisture-tolerant options such as bird willow, boxwood, red-twig dogwood and river birch add seasonal interest and thrive in moist conditions.

What rain gardens are not:

Rain gardens are not ponds, nor are they mosquito breeding grounds. Properly designed rain gardens retain water for a short time after a storm, quickly percolating back into the ground. They are generally no deeper than a foot and do not require liners. The size and depth of your rain garden should be based on the amount of rainfall you need to handle from the impervious surfaces.

Tips for designing a rain garden

When designing a rain garden, think of it as an integral part of your landscape rather than a stand-alone feature. Consider its shape and how it fits with the overall composition, screening and circulation of your yard. Integrate the rain garden with other plantings, such as a depression in a perennial bed or a shrub border. Enhance the aesthetics and functionality of your rain garden with decorative stones, seating areas, walkways or other hardscape elements to make it more visually appealing and user-friendly.

Photo: Capital Region Water District

My adventure in the rain garden

This year, I embarked on an exciting project: creating my own rain garden and food forest. Faced with the challenge of runoff from a nearby pond threatening to wash away my long, sloping driveway, I knew I needed a solution that would manage stormwater and enhance my landscape.

The result was transformative. My rain garden now captures and filters excess rainwater, directing it through a dry river bed made of river rock above a perforated drainage pipe. This configuration allows water to be released slowly into the landscape, reducing erosion and preventing clogging.

With plantings that can withstand periodic flooding, the garden is full of life, supporting a diverse range of wildlife and adding new beauty to my yard. It feels like my garden has been given a new lease of life. Plus, I’ve already picked a variety of squash and can’t wait for my peppers and tomatoes to ripen!

Photo by Monika Rekola

If you can’t plant a rain garden, you can save water with downspout gardens or rain barrels. What is more beautiful than conserving and reusing natural resources like water?

PHOTO: ILLUSTRATION BY MAVIS AUGUSTINE TORKE

Plants for creating the drainage garden plan

The mix of plant sizes and the soft pinks and blues of the flowers of the following perennials work together to create a dynamic design with just a few plants. All of these plants appreciate plenty of moisture and can tolerate occasional wet soil. They are Joe-Pye weed, pink turtlehead, dwarf sweet flag and big blue lobelia.

Save water, build a rain barrel!

A rain barrel is a great way to go green, using captured rainwater to water your garden, lawn or even houseplants. This project used a recycled barrel with a stylish covering of simple fence posts and rope.

Photo: Mick Telkamp

Rain Chains: Add some charm with decorative rain chains. These beauties not only manage the flow of water, but also make the garden shine with a touch of art in any space.

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So why not take the plunge and turn your garden into an ecological oasis? With rain gardens, rain barrels, and smart water conservation techniques, you can create a sustainable sanctuary that benefits both you and the environment. Let’s make every drop count!

Monika Rekola is a landscape designer and certified horticulturist with a passion for gardening and sustainable living. As a budding homemaker and garden writer, she shares her love of recycling, repurposing and bird watching. Monika is dedicated to organic gardening, aiming to balance our delicate ecosystem. Contact her at (email protected).