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Why would you want a rain garden?
We all need to be responsible for the water on our property before it becomes stormwater runoff. The beauty of a rain garden is that runoff is captured, the soil cleans & filters out pollutants and rain gardens help to recharge groundwater which benefits drinking water wells & local aquifers.
When it rains is the perfect time to take a walk around and study the topography of your property. See what direction the water flows during a storm and pay close attention to any areas that have erosion damage.
A Rain Garden is a practical and gorgeous way to improve the beauty and function of your yard and alleviate the negative impacts of runoff at the same time (read more)
A rain garden is essentially a bed that is excavated into a shallow depression and is planted with species that can flourish in alternate periods of flooding and dryness. It is positioned near a source of runoff such as a gutter or a downspout. The basin traps the excess water and allows it to percolate down into the soil rather than entering the sewer system or running into a body of water. This is of great benefit because runoff frequently picks up harmful substances such as gasoline, oil, fertilizers and pesticides on its way to our lakes and streams. The process of percolating through the soil and the roots of the rain garden's plants removes many of these harmful substances and the clean water sinks down to the water table.
The Rain Garden at Community House Park in Southbury, CT was a collaboration by Earth Tones & Pomperaug River Watershed Coalition
But what does a rain garden look like? That's up to you. It doesn't have to be round — it could be a narrow strip along your driveway. Rain gardens can be planted in full sun, partial sun or mostly shaded areas. Rain gardens are planted with native plants that can withstand both dry and wet conditions such as New England aster or cardinal flower, highbush blueberry or red twig dogwood.
Municipalities can install roadside rain gardens as a natural solution to prevent stormwater pollution and protect local watershed health.
Funding for this beautful roadside rain garden in Bethel, Connecticut was provided by the U.S. Environmental Agency [Section 319] Nonpoint Source Pollution Grant Program administered by the CT DEEP to Partners: Northwest Conservation District, Inc., Town of Bethel, Housatonic Valley Association & EarthTones LLC.
Why would you want a backyard bog?
A custom design & built bog can be a beautiful and powerful ecological feature in any landscape as it provides a distinct habitat for specialized wetlands plants, insects and other adapted wildlife.
Over time your backyard bog garden will fill in with a wonderfully unique array of plant material. You will enjoy the rich wildlife activity that abounds in these wonderful ecosystems.
What is the difference between a rain garden and a bog? A rain garden is a shallow depression designed to temporarily collect rainwater and allow it to slowly drain into the ground, while a bog holds water at a much higher level for extended periods, creating a distinct habitat for specialized plants. Rain garden plants tolerate temporary wet conditions, while bogs have specialized plants adapted to constantly wet, acidic soil.
Backyard_Bog_Gardens_by_Kyle_Turoczi_Connecticut_Gardener magazine_July_August_2015.pdfGoogle Sites
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