Learn more about how you can create sustainable spaces in your yard or garden. We all have a role to play to keep Lincoln green and sustainble.
Rain Gardens
Plants at Work!
Rain gardens look like typical gardens, however they are designed to capture stormwater runoff, increase absorption with improved soil and suitable plants, and filter out pollutants. This process improves water quality and limits the amount of water that enters our storm system, and ultimately our waterways. Rain gardens reduce the potential for flooding, restore our groundwater system, and provide food and habitat for pollinators. At Sho’aríshon Park, for example, runoff from the parking lot, walkways, seating areas and lawn is directed to the native species rain garden. Water may be held for up to 48 hours while it infiltrates, with an overflow system in place for large storm events.
Do It Yourself!
A rain garden can easily be incorporated into any residential garden and can be customized to suit your desired aesthetic. They can be small or large — whatever you have space for!
- Create a shallow depression in an area with full or partial sun.
- Loosely place an absorbent soil mix.
- Plant native plants that are both water-tolerant and drought-tolerant (Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority’s A Guide to Celebrate Niagara Peninsula’s Native Plants has lots of great ideas!).
- Loosely place mulch around the plants.
- Direct rainwater to the depression from a source, such as a downspout.
Compared to a patch of lawn, a rain garden allows about 30% more water to be absorbed into the ground! They also make for less lawn mowing and a well-designed rain garden can be maintained with minimal care. In the first two years the plants will need watering to ensure they become established, and after that the garden should only need simple maintenance, such as weeding.