Sustainable Yards & Gardens

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 sustainable. 

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!

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1. Create a shallow depression in an area with full or partial sun.
2. Loosely place an absorbent soil mix.
3. 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!).
4. Loosely place mulch around the plants.
5. 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.

Rain Barrels

Using rain barrels to collect and store rainwater offers significant benefits, both to your wallet and to the environment. See below to learn how you can use a rain
barrel for your household water needs:

Watering

1. Water your lawn, plants and garden. 
2. Fill a watering can to water
   indoor plants.

Garden Irrigation

1. Connect a soaker hose and place it in your garden.
2. Add pressure using a pond pump and attach a garden hose.

Cleaning

1. Wash your car, clean outdoor furniture and wash your garden tools and containers.

Downspout Disconnection

Downspout disconnection is a process used to reduce the amount of stormwater that enters sanitary or combined sewers. Less stormwater in the system prevents wastewater from backing up through sewer pipes where it can escape through floor drains or other low-lying plumbing fixtures in your basement.

Rain barrels can be installed on a disconnected downspout. By redirecting rainwater from your downspout into a rain barrel, you can capture and store rainwater for later use. 

Some of the benefits of downspout disconnection include:

1. It reduces the amount of stormwater sent through the sewer system, which can lead to overflow into rivers, streams and lakes as well as cause sewer backups and basement flooding in your home.
2. It replenishes and protects the groundwater table and reduces and delays stormwater runoff, preventing flash flooding in rivers and streams.
3. It places fewer burdens on the sewer system, leading to lower energy costs and increased effectiveness of wastewater treatment facilities.

Rain barrels contribute to sustainability by lowering water demand, conserving a vital natural resource, and reducing the strain on stormwater systems.