Rain gardens, a garden type that uses rain water in an alternative way, is starting to become popular across the United States. Rain gardens works in a way where soil is enriched and plants grow because of the run off by the storm waters. Rain gardens gathers water for a certain time period, therefore not wasting a drop in the drains. In addition to keeping water pollution out of natural water sources, these gardens are just like those in Calgary gardens, providing an inexpensive and effective way of maintaining a lawn within an urban area.      

The mechanism involve in rain garden is to let rain water run into roof tops of your home and then let it subside at the surface of the garden to soak the soil. This process of absorption usually takes a few hours and doesn’t cause problems with insects or fungus. The main benefit of having this type of garden is to utilize water more efficiently and to keep city pollution out of rivers and creeks. Rain gardens minimizes contamination in streams and brooks by as much as 35%, a big boost for the planet. You can see little garden prototypes in esplanades and city parks. The purpose for it is for the garden to become excessively wet and dry based on the rain that falls, big gardens can’t manage that.

This garden types doesn’t require to be watered frequently for the rainwater itself is enough as supplements for the plants. The best type of plants to exist in a rain garden are shrubs, grasses, and perennials. Native plants are recommended because they have the greatest tolerance for climate, soil, and weather conditions in that given area. These gardens boost wildlife and natural habitat in urban cities even more for it resembles a mini rainforest. While rain gardens can attract humming birds, bumble bees and butterflies, noxious mosquitoes finds here no place to breed. The reason for it is that the water does not retain long enough in rain gardens where mosquito larvae hatch.

Try to have a garden pond if you want to see some water, it has a deep basin, but don’t forget to install pump, filter and aeration. One of the preferred water features today are Calgary ponds, with other incorporating a lagoon, a fountain or a cascading waterfall.   Remember to have koi pond filtration in the pond too, like a basket filter or a UV filter to maintain its efficiency and health. Garden ponds is usually created as a natural water retention spot for a home or a property and also has the same characteristics like the rain gardens.    

Rain gardens are typically located ten feet away from the roof of a building but they can also be placed further away. The garden functions as a natural irrigation which means there is no actual need for it to be watered. Under-drained and self-contained are two type of rain gardens. Under-drained gardens usually drains quicker than because of the porous soil. After a rain storm, the lower elevation plant of under-drained gardens receives more water since it stays the ground for a while.  

Overall, rain gardens are ideal for making urban areas greener (in both ways), encouraging biodiversity, and beautifying the area at no extra cost… as long as there’s occasional rain.

  Written By:

Custom Stone and Waterscapes

‎3829 Parkhill Place SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2W6

Specializes in Calgary Landscape Design, Calgary Landscaping, Calgary Gardens, Calgary Ponds and Waterfalls.

(403)870-1142