3 minute read
Stop The Drops
Reduce runoff with a beautiful rain garden
Garrett Dietz
Garrett Dietz is a public information officer in the DNR’s Office of Communications.
We all know spring showers bring May flowers, but we don’t usually consider what else the rain brings into our watershed.
As raindrops plummet from above and strike surfaces like rooftops, parking lots and driveways, they pick up hitchhikers — tiny particles of dirt, industrial debris, oil and salt — and give them a ride to the nearest body of water. As you can imagine, that isn’t great for our environment. So, what can we do?
One solution is to retain water on our properties to prevent raindrops from becoming runoff. One great way to do this also happens to be a beautiful landscaping technique: the rain garden.
Rain gardens are small, shallow or low areas filled with plants to reduce polluted storm water from entering waterways. Studies show rain gardens capture between 30% and 40% more water than traditional grass lawns, reducing the amount of water that reaches our lakes and rivers carrying household fertilizers, pesticides, oils and other contaminants.
“Rain gardens not only enhance the beauty and utility of a property, but also positively impact water quality,” said Shannon Haydin, DNR storm water runoff section manager. “Anytime we can prevent a raindrop from becoming runoff or urban storm water, the better it is for our ecosystems.”
These little flower beds pack big environmental benefits. And when created using Wisconsin native plants, they also provide excellent pollinator habitat, giving it the old one-two punch.
BUILDING A RAIN GARDEN
First, you need a plan. This includes where to put the garden (hint: look for drain spouts and low areas) and how big to make it. Basic rules include staying 10 feet from building foundations and planting on a downslope, with typical household rain gardens ranging between 100 and 300 square feet.
Once you’ve settled on size and location, you’re ready to break ground. Contact Diggers Hotline — check diggershotline.com or dial 811 — to ensure you excavate dirt, not utility lines. Also, avoid areas with heavy tree root cover or objects like a well or septic system.
If needed, modify your soil by adding compost or sand. Otherwise, you’re ready to plant and mulch.
Once established, after about a year of weeding and upkeep, rain gardens require little maintenance. Sit back and enjoy the native flowers, pollinators and positive impact on freshwater.
LEARN MORE
The DNR’s rain garden webpage includes links to guides covering everything from rain garden sizing to selecting the right native plants. Visit dnr.wi.gov/tiny/2441.
