A rain garden is a shallow depression in your yard that's planted with native flowering plants and grasses.  The garden not only looks great, but also soaks up rainwater and melted snow from your home's downspouts, driveway or lawn.  Water soaks into the soil and replenishes groundwater rather than becoming runoff.  Rain gardens also provide habitat for birds, butterflies and beneficial insects (including dragonflies that eat mosquitoes!), and benefit water quality.  They help replenish our diminishing groundwater, and prevent thousands of gallons of runoff from reaching our streams, rivers and lakes.

Tips for a successful rain garden:

* Location, Location, Location! - Rain gardens should be positioned in a low spot in your landscaping where drainage naturally occurs.

* Choosing Plants - Choose plants best suited for your climate zome and soil type.  Native plants require little maintenance once established.  Be sure to take into account the height of plants and the color when in bloom.

* Site Prep & Planting - Mark off your planting area.  Dig down 4-18 inches, depending upon your site.  Work in organic material, such as; compost, peat moss, etc.  Plant your plants.  Mulching right after planting helps to discourage weed growth and keeps moisture in the soil.  Check with your local municipality to see if they have a free mulch, compost or wood chip program.

* Maitnenance - Water every other day for the first two weeks until your plants get established.  Weed when needed. 

There are other types of collecting rainwater, from the old fashioned rain barrel to a sophisticated rainwater harvest system.  Collected rainwater can be used not only for watering your landscape, but can also be used for washing your car, topping off water features, swimming pools and hot tubs, and to use for toilet and laundry water supply.

                          For more information on how you can conserve and re-use rainwater,
                                               call Landscape Associates at 920-337-4915.