What is a Rain Garden? A Rain Garden is a planted depression into which rainwater drains from impervious urban areas, like roofs, driveways, and compacted lawns. In its simplest form, a rain garden is a shallow depression, containing absorbent, yet free draining soil and planted with vegetation that can withstand occasional temporary flooding. Rain gardens are designed to mimic the natural water retention of undeveloped land, and are more efficient than garden lawns in absorbing excess water drained from hard surfaces.<\/p>\n
\u00a0Excess rain water drains\u00a0firstly into\u00a0what is essentially a flower bed, and\u00a0continues to drain slowly into the surrounding soil instead of flowing into the drainage system. They can be designed for specific soils and climates.<\/p>\n
\u00a0The Rain Gardens also dispose of excess water through transpiration. This is the process where a plant takes up water through its roots, and finally returns water to the atmosphere by evaporation from its leaves.<\/p>\n
\u00a0Native, water tolerant plants are\u00a0recommended for rain gardens because they are more tolerant of the local climate, soil, and water conditions. Biodiversity gains enormously because Rain Gardens also attract wildlife.<\/p>\n
\u00a0A Rain Garden Guide has been produced by leading experts in the field of water management, and is supported by both the Environment Agency and Southern Water. The guide introduces you to Rain Gardens and talks about why and where you might like to create your own. A whole garden can become a rain garden, and each component of the whole can become a small-scale rain garden in itself.<\/p>\n
\u00a0Follow this link to download the Rain Garden Guide<\/a><\/p>\n