As business centers become more and more compact cities are dealing with widespread water management issues. After large storms, cities often experience widespread flooding due to the large amounts of impervious materials. This means that there is little soil for water to actually be reabsorbed into and is instead it is left to run through the streets, pathways, and even into our homes and businesses. There have been several different ideas on how to address these issues but one of the most promising is the idea of installing rain gardens.
What is a Rain Garden?
So, what exactly is a rain garden and how does it actually help our businesses? A rain garden is simply a landscaped area that is designed in a way to help collect rainwater and allow it to re-absorb into the ground. We start by creating a small depression in the soil. We then make sure that the soil is able to re absorb enough water. Finally, we plant it with a mixture of native plants and perennials that will look good year-round and withstand extra water on occasion.
Benefits of a Rain Garden
Rain gardens have several benefits both for businesses and the communities which they call home.
Reduced Pollution
As discussed previously, one of the main benefits of a rain garden is helping to control storm water. This does more than just keep our streets clear from flooding it also helps prevent pollution from finding its ways into our streams and lakes. Rain gardens have plants which help to filter out these impurities before water is reabsorbed into the ground. This means that pollution from our urban life does not find its way into the nature that surrounds us.
Fewer Mosquitos
Despite what many people think rain gardens actually help reduce overall mosquito population. This is because when designed properly rain gardens will not hold standing water for more than 24 to 48 hours. This is not a long enough period of time for mosquitoes to begin breeding. With less standing water around your property, you and your customers will be more comfortable and not bombarded with mosquitoes after heavy rains.
Beautiful Feature
On top of the more environmentally friendly reasons to install a rain garden, they can also be a beautiful addition to your landscape. We can help you choose the right plants and layout to keep your rain garden looking beautiful year-round.
Considerations
There are some factors that you should take into consideration when deciding if your property is right for a rain garden. Things such as available land, placement of utilities, current drainage systems, and other factors all affect how much benefit your property would get from a rain garden. This is why it’s so important to hire a professional company to come in and make sure that the job is done right. Not only that, but it will also turn out to be one of your favorite features of your landscape. Let us help you decide if a rain garden is right for you.
