Rain Gardens - Helping Improve Water Quality
What is a rain garden?
Rain gardens are native plant gardens that are designed not only to aesthetically improve properties, but they also reduce the amount of stormwater (and accompanying pollutants) from entering our streams, lakes and rivers.
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Build rain gardens near hard surfaces where rainwater can collect and drain into the ground. |
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Planting native plants create beautiful natural areas that attract birds and butterflies. |
Polluted runoff is a big problem in urban areas such as Minneapolis where it is difficult for stormwater to soak into the earth’s surface. Rainwater flows faster over paved and packed surfaces, allowing it to pick up pollutants such as sediment, litter, discarded food and organic particles, pesticides, fertilizers, pet waste, gas and oil, metals (such as metal that falls off cars) and other residue before entering stormwater drains. This polluted water then finds its way into our lakes, streams and rivers.
Rain gardens help to prevent excessive runoff. Strategically placed in shallow depressions in the ground, the plants act as a sponges to draw water into the soil. Rain gardens not only reduce polluted runoff from entering our storm drains, but they also help replenish the groundwater supply and improve the water quality of our lakes, streams and rivers.
Rain gardens can be as simple as a shallow depression or as complex as a large stormwater management system that uses an intricate variety of pipes and grading to divert water runoff to plants. Native prairie plants are ideal for rain gardens because they are hardy and deep-rooted. There are several resources on the internet, as well as in libraries.
Rain Garden Resources
MetroBlooms, Promotes and educates home gardeners, landscapers, community gardeners and business gardeners, including rain garden workshops in Minneapolis
Rain garden FAQ, (PDF), Frequently Asked Questions, City of Minneapolis
Blue Thumb, Planting for Clean Water
Eco-Yard Midtown, Hennepin County
Last updated Aug. 27, 2012