Rain gardens may look like any other garden, but they have a secret: They’re incredible problem-solvers.
“Their main purpose is to capture water runoff from impervious surfaces such as rooftops, parking lots and driveways,” says Michael Dietz, Ph.D., extension educator at the University of Connecticut. “We’re trying to replicate nature so water sinks into the ground instead of going into stormwater systems.”
In some cities, sewer and stormwater systems are combined. The combined systems can’t handle the volume of water during heavy rains so sewage overflows into the nearest bodies of water. Runoff transports substances such as de-icing salt, chemicals and excess fertilizer into the water. “The more developed an area becomes, the more impact it can have on the streams and lakes due to runoff,” says Dietz.
It’s important to understand that rain gardens are not ponds or wetlands; they’re shallow depressions that collect, absorb and filter stormwater runoff. “It’s a misconception that there’s standing water,” says Jason Rathe, owner and lead designer of Field Outdoor Spaces in Minneapolis. “Properly designed rain gardens drain in less than a day.”
Correct drainage means mosquitoes are not an issue. Rain gardens also control erosion, prevent flooding, and provide habitat for pollinators and wildlife.
Follow these steps to use this design tool successfully:
With some basic education, a rain garden is no more difficult to install than any other planting bed. “If you can install a plant, you can dig a rain garden,” says Rodney Stoutenger, president and lead designer of Native Edge Landscape in Austin, Texas. “The important things are learning to calculate the correct size to manage the water and choosing the right soil mix and plants.”
Design and installation classes are offered by organizations such as cooperative extension services, local watershed districts, nonprofit conservation organizations, landscape and trade associations, as well as universities. Or check out the University of Connecticut’s free rain garden app for advice on design and plant selection.
Evaluate the site
Place the garden where it can collect and filter the largest volume of water. For residences, that’s often near a downspout at the front of the house, says Rathe.
Water can be delivered to the garden by underground pipe, across a landscaped area, or through an open swale lined with rock. Commercial properties may require more engineering and may necessitate the services of a landscape architect, as there’s a larger volume of water to be handled.
Avoid placing rain gardens over utilities, wells, septic tanks or drain fields, and stay away from boggy spots because plants will not thrive. “Keep the garden at least five feet from crawlspaces and 10 feet from basements so you don’t send water back toward the house,” says Marilyn Jacobs, co-owner and designer of Rain Dog Designs in the Puget Sound area of Washington. “Also, look for a safe overflow area that doesn’t flood into the street or a neighbor’s yard.”
Check the soil percolation rate to ensure water will not stay pooled in the site of your choice. For the most basic test, dig a hole 6 to 8 inches deep and 4 to 5 inches round. Fill with water and time how long it takes to drain. If the water has not drained within 24 hours, the site may not be suitable due to issues such as a high water table or heavy clay, says Dietz.
Prep the site
Several factors impact how big the garden should be, Dietz says, including the volume of water that will drain to the garden, how much rainfall your area receives and how much space you have. Many residential rain gardens are 100 to 300 square feet while some are as large as 600 square feet. Check with your extension service or watershed district for the correct equation to calculate the appropriate size based on local conditions, or try the University of Connecticut’s sizing map.
Most contractors excavate all soil from the site and replace it with a medium that is nutrient-rich. Typically, says Native Edge Landscape’s Stoutenger, about 12 to 18 inches of soil is removed and replaced with compost. The garden is situated somewhat lower in grade to capture the rain water, but the depression often is not apparent once plantings are installed. Excavated soil is used to create a berm along one side, allowing water to be retained during heavy storms.
Choose the right plants
A variety of perennials, shrubs and even small trees should be used to provide multi-season interest. Choose natives and plants hardy to your region. The sides of the garden should slope gently, with plantings placed in zones, says Jacobs. The first zone, at the base of the garden, is for plants that can bear wet feet. The next zone contains plants on the slopes that can tolerate occasional standing water. The last zone, which is on the perimeter of the garden, is made up of plants that prefer dry conditions.
A common misconception is that a rain garden looks wild and informal. “It can appear more manicured and controlled based on the design and plant materials selected,” says Rathe. “Incorporate it into the existing landscape so it’s a component, not just a little oval sitting in the middle of the yard.” Edge with flagstones or pavers, and top-dress with a layer of shredded hardwood mulch, which won’t float away like bark or pine straw.
Bustani za mvua zaweza kuonekana kama bustani nyingine yoyote, lakini zina siri: Wao ni watatuaji wa matatizo wa ajabu. "Lengo lao kuu ni kukamata maji kutoka kwa nyuso zisizoweza kupenya kama vile paa, maegesho na barabara", anasema Michael Dietz, Ph.D., mwalimu wa upanuzi katika Chuo Kikuu cha Connecticut. <unk>Tunajaribu kuiga asili ili maji yaanguke chini ya ardhi badala ya kuingia katika mifumo ya maji ya mvua.<unk> Katika miji fulani, mifumo ya maji machafu na maji ya mvua huunganishwa. Mifumo ya pamoja haiwezi kushughulikia kiasi cha maji wakati wa mvua kubwa hivyo maji machafu kufurika katika miili ya karibu ya maji. Mvua ya maji hutumia vitu kama vile chumvi ya kuondoa barafu, kemikali na mbolea nyingi ndani ya maji. "Kadiri eneo linavyoendelea, ndivyo linavyoweza kuwa na athari kubwa zaidi kwenye vijito na maziwa kwa sababu ya maji ya maji", anasema Dietz. Ni muhimu kuelewa kwamba bustani za mvua si vidimbwi au maeneo ya mvua; ni maporomoko ya chini ambayo hukusanya, huchukua na kuchuja maji ya mvua. "Ni dhana potofu kwamba kuna maji ya kusimama", anasema Jason Rathe, mmiliki na mbuni mkuu wa Field Outdoor Spaces huko Minneapolis. <unk>Bustani za mvua zilizobuniwa vizuri hutiririka kwa muda usiozidi siku moja.<unk> Kutiririka vizuri kunamaanisha mbu si tatizo. Bustani za mvua pia hudhibiti mmomonyoko wa ardhi, huzuia mafuriko, na kutoa makao kwa wachawi na wanyama-pori. Kwa mfano, kwa kutumia mbinu hii ya kubuni, unaweza kuunda bustani ya mvua kwa urahisi na kwa urahisi, na kwa njia ya kupanda. "Ikiwa unaweza kuweka mmea, unaweza kuchimba bustani ya mvua", anasema Rodney Stoutenger, rais na mbuni mkuu wa Native Edge Landscape huko Austin, Texas. "Vitu muhimu ni kujifunza kuhesabu ukubwa sahihi wa kusimamia maji na kuchagua mchanganyiko sahihi wa udongo na mimea. ""Mazoezi ya kubuni na ufungaji yanatolewa na mashirika kama vile huduma za upanuzi wa ushirikiano, wilaya za maji ya ndani, mashirika yasiyo ya faida ya uhifadhi, mazingira na vyama vya biashara, na pia vyuo vikuu." Au angalia Chuo Kikuu cha Connecticut's bure mvua bustani programu kwa ushauri juu ya kubuni na uteuzi wa mimea. Panga bustani mahali ambapo inaweza kukusanya na kuchuja kiasi kikubwa cha maji. Makao ya nguvu, ambayo ni mara nyingi karibu na downspout mbele ya nyumba, anasema Rathe. Maji yanaweza kupelekwa kwenye bustani kupitia bomba la chini ya ardhi, kupitia eneo lenye bustani, au kupitia bonde la wazi lililofunikwa kwa mwamba. Mali ya kibiashara inaweza kuhitaji uhandisi zaidi na inaweza kuhitaji huduma za mbuni wa mazingira, kama kuna kiasi kikubwa cha maji kushughulikiwa. Kuhifadhi mimea ya mvua juu ya mifereji, visima, mabwawa ya septic au mashamba ya maji, na kukaa mbali na maeneo ya mvua kwa sababu mimea haitafanikiwa. "Kuweka bustani angalau mita tano kutoka crawlspaces na mita 10 kutoka basements hivyo wewe si kutuma maji nyuma kuelekea nyumba, ""anasema Marilyn Jacobs, mmiliki mwenza na mbuni wa Mvua Mbwa Designs katika Puget Sound eneo la Washington." <unk> Pia, tafuta eneo salama la kufurika ambalo halijazi maji barabarani au katika bustani ya jirani. <unk> Angalia kiwango cha kufurika kwa udongo ili kuhakikisha maji hayatabaki katika eneo la uchaguzi wako. Kwa ajili ya mtihani wa msingi, kuchimba shimo 6 hadi 8 inchi kina na 4 hadi 5 inchi pande zote. Jaza na maji na muda unaochukua kuondoa. """Ikiwa maji hayajaisha ndani ya masaa 24, tovuti inaweza kuwa haifai kwa sababu ya masuala kama vile maji ya juu au udongo mzito,"" anasema Dietz." "Kujaribu kuunda bustani ya bustani ya bustani ya bustani ya bustani ya bustani ya bustani ya bustani ya bustani ya bustani ya bustani ya bustani ya bustani ya bustani ya bustani ya bustani ya bustani ya bustani ya bustani ya bustani ya bustani ya bustani ya bustani ya bustani ya bustani ya bustani ya bustani ya bustani ya bustani ya bustani ya bustani ya bustani ya bustani ya bustani ya bustani ya bustani ya bustani ya bustani ya bustani ya bustani.""" Mimea ya mvua ya majengo ya makazi ni ya ukubwa wa mita za mraba 100 hadi 300, wakati wengine ni kubwa kama mita za mraba 600. Angalia na huduma yako ya upanuzi au wilaya ya maji kwa usawa sahihi wa kuhesabu ukubwa unaofaa kulingana na hali za ndani, au jaribu ramani ya ukubwa wa Chuo Kikuu cha Connecticut. Makampuni mengi ya ujenzi huchimba udongo wote kutoka mahali hapo na kuubadilisha kwa mchanganyiko wenye virutubisho vingi. "Kama ilivyoelezwa na Stoutinger, ""Kwa kawaida, karibu inchi 12 hadi 18 za udongo huondolewa na kubadilishwa na mbolea.""" Bustani iko chini kidogo ili kuhifadhi maji ya mvua, lakini mara nyingi hali hiyo haionekani mara tu mimea inapowekwa. Udongo uliochimbwa hutumiwa kutengeneza ukingo upande mmoja, na hivyo kuzuia maji yasivumilie wakati wa dhoruba kali. Chagua mimea sahihi: Mimea mbalimbali ya kudumu, vichaka na hata miti midogo inapaswa kutumiwa kutoa maslahi ya misimu mingi. Chagua mimea ya asili na yenye nguvu katika eneo lako. Jacobs anasema kwamba kando-kando za bustani inapaswa kuwa na mteremko laini, na mimea ipandwe katika maeneo. Eneo la kwanza, lililo chini ya bustani, ni kwa ajili ya mimea inayoweza kuvumilia miguu yenye unyevunyevu. Eneo linalofuata lina mimea kwenye mteremko ambayo inaweza kuvumilia maji ya mara kwa mara. Eneo la mwisho, ambalo liko kwenye ukingo wa bustani, lina mimea inayopendelea hali kavu. Wazo lisilo la kweli ni kwamba bustani ya mvua inaonekana kuwa ya kijijini na isiyo ya kawaida. "Inaweza kuonekana zaidi manicured na kudhibitiwa kulingana na kubuni na mimea vifaa waliochaguliwa", anasema Rathe. <unk>Incorporate ni katika mazingira yaliyopo hivyo ni sehemu, si tu oval kidogo ameketi katikati ya yadi.<unk> Edge na flagsticks au pavers, na juu ya mavazi na safu ya shredded hardwood mulch, ambayo si <unk>t kuelea mbali kama ganda au misonobari nyasi.