April 29th

By Mutt Mulligan

Create a Rain Garden in Your Yard to Reduce Runoff

A rain garden is a great – and beautiful – idea for places in your yard that are near a storm water runoff source like a downspout, driveway or entrance area to a home.

Photo courtesy of www.cuyahogaswcd.org.

Rain gardens use plants that can tolerate having soaked roots; they are good for the environment because they reduce rain runoff by allowing storm water to soak into the ground, rather than flow into storm drains and surface waters. Runoff causes erosion and water pollution.

Choosing plants that thrive in your specific climate and area of the country is imperative to ensure the rain garden will survive in your climate and do well in absorbing excess water after a storm. Explore TurfMutt’s interactive ecosystems map for more information on plants that will thrive in your soil conditions and climate.

To learn more about the role plants, grasses and trees have in preventing soil erosion download TurfMutt’s interactive, informative lesson you can do with your family.

Do you have a rain garden in your yard? Share your pictures and design tips on TurfMutt’s Facebook page.