You might have spotted a new trend popping up in your neighborhood—stunning, biodiverse gardens filled with native grasses, plants, shrubs, and even small trees thoughtfully arranged in compact spaces. While they’re undeniably beautiful, there’s more to them than just aesthetics. Let’s dive into rain gardens and the forces driving their popularity!
What Is a Rain Garden?
Despite common misconceptions, a rain garden isn’t a pond or a holding place for water. Rain gardens are strategically designed spaces that soak up and filter rainwater before it enters the water table and seeps into local aquifers. As such, rain gardens help remove pollutants before they enter groundwater systems, and they prevent local waterways from flooding during times of heavy precipitation.
Benefits of a Rain Garden
Rain gardens benefit the environment and the homeowner in many ways!
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Rain gardens filter rainwater and replenish groundwater.
When it rains, the water that seeps into the ground catches chemicals from lawn fertilizers and vehicles, as well as heavy metals. Rain gardens help filter the water before it makes its way down into the underground aquifers. This natural filtration means cleaner water for drinking, irrigation, and the ecosystem’s lakes, rivers, and streams (and the plant and animal life that depend on them!).
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Rain gardens reduce runoff.
A rain garden’s shallow depression captures water that would otherwise directly enter storm drains. A larger rain garden will capture more water than a smaller rain garden. Consider a percolation test to determine the best location, size, and soil composition for your rain garden.
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Rain gardens support biodiversity.
Rain gardens are constructed with native plants that are adaptable to the local climate. Consequently, they’re very low maintenance and provide nectar, seeds, and berries for local birds, insects, and wildlife, attracting pollinators and promoting a healthy local ecosystem. In addition to providing food, these plants also provide shelter for small area wildlife. When installed in urban areas, rain gardens provide cool spaces for local plants and wildlife, protecting them from the heat island effect.
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Rain gardens are a low-maintenance way to landscape.
If you’re thinking about undertaking some landscaping but don’t want to create a perpetual project, a rain garden might be the perfect choice!
We’ve already established that native plants are lower maintenance than non-native species. They’re easy to please in local soil and require little or no fertilizer or pesticides. Plus, once they’re established, native plants don’t require much or any watering. Their deep root systems prevent soil erosion and drink up the underground water that accumulates and filters through the garden’s soil.
Traditional gardens can collect standing water during heavy rainfall, promoting weed growth and mosquito breeding. In contrast, rain gardens are designed to rapidly absorb and filter rainwater and runoff, minimizing the risk of pooling.
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Rain gardens boost curb appeal and home value.
Beyond their practical benefits, rain gardens also enhance landscapes with their beauty. As with any well-designed garden or landscaping, rain gardens can boost your home’s curb appeal and even add to the value of your home by 15-20% or more, according to the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA).
Create Your Rain Garden
If a rain garden is on your 2025 project list, here are basic installation steps:
Step 1: Mark off the area where you envision your rain garden. Remember to position your garden in a low-lying area. It will collect and absorb runoff from roofs, driveways, and sidewalks, reducing the need for supplemental watering.
Note: Make sure the edge of your garden is at least 10’ from your home’s foundation to avoid water intrusion.
Step 2: Dig a hole 12” deep in your garden area and fill it with water. If it drains within 24-48 hours, the depth is sufficient. If not, dig deeper and try again. In areas with a lot of clay or more compact soil, you may need to dig down 24” or more. Once you determine how deep to dig, dig out the entire space. Use a mini excavator if it’s too big to dig by hand. Make sure the bottom is flat, and gently slope the sides.
Step 3: Extend downspouts into your garden and surround the output area with river rock. This will deflect water away from your foundation, provide a water source for your plants, minimize erosion, and reduce the demand on your local storm drains. Ensure downspouts have a gentle downward slope for optimal performance.
Step 4: Fill in your excavated garden within 6-12” from the top. Be sure to bury your downspouts a few inches underground to prevent damage from mowers and eliminate tripping hazards.
Step 5: Select a mix of deep-rooted native plants, including grasses, perennials, and shrubs. Place your water-loving plants in the center where water collects and your drought-tolerant plants on the outer edges. Space plants appropriately and mulch to prevent weeds.
Water your rain garden consistently until plants are established. Once established, you’ll only need to water your garden infrequently during extended dry spells.
For even more detailed instructions for building your rain garden, check out this helpful resource from the University of Minnesota Extension Service!
If you’re excited to plant a garden this year but feel overwhelmed at the thought of tackling it on your own, we’d love to help! Reach out to McDonough Landscaping about our planting bed start-up services. We can also help you with topdressing and mulching to freshen up your lawn and gardens and get them ready for this year’s growing season!