How Do I Build a Rain Garden?

[@ericswope3412]

Great video! You packed most everything you need to know into just 6 minutes.

[@palliaskamen5722]

May I suggest using a non-painted mulch instead of painted. Good work to help retain water run off!

[@viellashipley6933]

While black mulch might seem like a visually appealing choice for a rain garden, it's generally not recommended for a few reasons: Heat Absorption: Black mulch absorbs more heat from the sun compared to lighter-colored mulch. This can create excessively hot soil conditions in your rain garden, which can stress and potentially harm your plants, especially native plants that may prefer cooler soil temperatures. Water Temperature: The absorbed heat from black mulch can also raise the water temperature in the rain garden. This can be detrimental to beneficial aquatic life, such as frogs, insects, and worms, that might find refuge in the moist environment. Decomposition: Black mulch is often dyed or treated to maintain its color, which can slow down its decomposition rate. This can impede the natural process of adding organic matter back into the soil, potentially impacting soil health over time. Here are some better options for rain gardens: Natural Wood Mulch: Shredded bark or wood chips come in various colors and decompose naturally, providing nutrients to the soil as they break down. Opt for lighter-colored wood mulch to reflect more sunlight and keep the soil cooler. Composted Materials: Compost provides excellent drainage and adds valuable nutrients to the soil. You can use composted bark, leaves, or other organic materials. Gravel: While not strictly mulch, gravel can be a good option for paths or borders within your rain garden. It allows for good drainage and provides a habitat for some beneficial insects. By choosing a lighter-colored, natural mulch option, you can create a more favorable environment for your rain garden plants and the ecosystem it supports.

[@reseauhortus]

hello! Could you give some name of plants which can grow good in this rain garden? This would be fine!

[@aydankhan7989]

Fntastic vid

[@botanicaltreasures2408]

Helpful how to video-thanks!

[@amerecanno8986]

This Great!

[@S1D1T1DO]

What do you do if your entire yard is rock hard clay and you still want to do a rain garden? I have a ditch at end of my street with a storm drain for yard runoff. Would like to plant around the storm drain?

[@soaknh3996]

Josh, The number one rule for installing a rain garden is that it is located in an area where the water can soak into the ground. As I'm sure you know water has a hard time finding its way through rock hard clay! I would suggest spreading out runoff to any vegetated areas you currently have including grassy areas. If you try to dig any type of basin, you may accidentally create a pond! As far as planting around the storm drain, be sure you have permission from the property owner (the city or state or homeowner association perhaps?). If so, try to chose water tolerant plants. Natives to your area are best. We have a list of New England native rain garden plants you could use as a starting point - look at the Soak Up the Rain NH website under Resource -> Rain Garden Planning. Good luck, SOAKNH.

[@linyubin8541]

Two many crews work on one project. I bet it is not cheap

[@NHDES]

Hi! Rain gardens typically do not cost much more than ordinary perennial gardens to install. A few items may need to be purchased to direct the water into the rain garden; otherwise the costs are similar for plants, good soil for a planting bed and some mulch. Some people choose or need to hire an excavator to dig out the area, and that adds a cost. The crews in this cover photo were landscapers being trained to install rain gardens. Thanks for your comment!

[@psyourauntie]

Did you learn this from the teachings from Zephaniah Phiri?

[@bryanmilne]

Why not trees??

[@NHDES]

Hello! Trees can certainly be used in a rain garden, but often at the home-owner scale - just capturing a quarter or half of a typical house roof, for example. Most gardens are smaller, and there is not enough room for a tree.

[@donieettekiojou621]

This Great!