I recently read a statement that said, “Rainwater is a resource, not a waste product.” I couldn’t agree more. 

For some reason, though, we seem to be treating rainwater as more like something that we need to get rid of. Why are we in such a hurry to send it to the closest storm drain when our gardens can benefit from its use?  

So much of our properties are covered with asphalt and/or concrete that rainwater has nowhere to get absorbed into the soil, but will run down the driveway right into the sewers. 

Most of us have swales across the back of our yards that also carry rainwater right to the nearest grate. 

It doesn’t make sense that we want to get rid of any excess rainwater, and then we spend a lot of money to buy it back in the summer months so that we can water our gardens.  

What is a rain garden?

Rain gardens are an innovative, sustainable solution to manage stormwater runoff in urban environments, addressing environmental challenges such as water pollution, erosion and the depletion of local water resources.

These are designed to capture, absorb and filter rainwater, not only enhancing the aesthetic value of any property but also providing vital ecological benefits. By understanding what rain gardens are, how they function and their environmental advantages, we can appreciate why they are becoming increasingly popular in urban and suburban planning.

A rain garden is a shallow, planted depression designed to capture and absorb rainwater from impervious surfaces like driveways, rooftops and streets. Instead of allowing rainwater to flow into storm drains or create runoff that contributes to pollution, a rain garden collects this water and filters it back into the ground.

These gardens typically consist of native plants, mulch and soil specifically chosen for their ability to absorb water efficiently. The soil is often amended to improve its drainage properties and encourage infiltration.

Rain gardens can be installed in residential yards, along streets or in larger public spaces like parks or parking lots.

The design of a rain garden is essential for its effectiveness. A well-designed rain garden includes proper grading to direct water into the depression, a suitable mix of plants that can tolerate both wet and dry conditions and strategically placed soil that allows the water to seep into the ground at a natural rate. 

Some plants that will thrive when planted in the lower areas of the rain gardens (can tolerate wet and normal conditions) are: Perennial hibiscus, Siberian iris, ligularia, red lobelia and giant blue lobelia.  

In addition to their functional purpose, rain gardens add aesthetic value to a landscape, offering a variety of colors, textures and biodiversity.

Benefits of planting a rain garden 

Natural filtration of rain gardens, for instance, is created by lowering the grade of a yard to sequester rainwater and grow plants that are suited to wet locations. When a rain garden in the spring dries out in the heat of summer, the selected plants thrive in heat and dryness.

Yet, during a midsummer deluge, the same plants tolerate wet soils, soaking it up and storing much of it for use during dry spells.

A rain garden is a shallow, saucer-shaped garden featuring mostly native perennial plants and grasses. It is designed to absorb stormwater run-off from surfaces such as rooftops, driveways and sidewalks.

Rain gardens slow down the rush of water from these hard surfaces, allowing it to naturally soak into the ground.

For every inch of rain that falls on a surface area of 1,000 square feet, approximately 600 gallons of rainwater are generated.

Homeowners can help reduce the amount of runoff water flowing from their property by planting a rain garden. 

The garden should be positioned near a runoff source like a downspout, driveway or sump pump to capture rainwater runoff and stop the water from reaching the sewer system.

Here are some more benefits of rain gardens:

• A rain garden will act as a filter, protecting our local waterways from pollutants like pesticides.
• Slowly infiltrating water helps replenish groundwater supplies, meaning less additional watering required.
• Can help solve flooding and drainage problems in your yard.
• Reduces the amount of lawn you need to water, mow and maintain.
• Adds beauty and “curb appeal” to your property.
• Creates habitat for birds and butterflies.
• Reduces or eliminates the need to water with municipal water.
• Reduces garden maintenance.
• More sustainability and urban enhancement.

Joanne Young is a Niagara-on-the-Lake garden expert and coach. See her website at joanneyoung.ca.

The Niagara-on-the-Lake Horticultural Society is pleased to be hosting a series of Saturday morning gardening classes, available to the public. They will be facilitated by Joanne Young on Saturday mornings, and they will run until May 31 at the NOTL Community Centre. Join us for the classes that interest you. For all the details and to pre-register for the classes, visit notlhortsociety.com/classes.