Rain gardens are a great way to keep the water out of your yard.Rain gardens are low maintenance and can make an attractive addition to your garden.After scouting out your yard for an ideal rain garden spot, dig a small basin to fill with compost and add your new plants.You should weed and mulch your rain garden after you've planted it.
Step 1: You should position your garden at least 10 feet from your house.
Water may erode at the home's foundation if your garden is too close to the house.This can cause problems in the basement.It's a good idea to keep your rain garden away from the sidewalk and driveway.During a storm, watch your yard's rainfall draining pattern.Try to position your garden near a body of water.
Step 2: Take a look at your area's slope.
Measure the slope of your projected area by using a long, straight wooden board and a carpenter's level.You need a slope of at least 1 inch (2.54 centimeters) in 4 feet (1.32 meters) to get enough rain water into your garden.You'll have to create it by digging if you don't have this natural slope.A slope of two percent or more is what you want because rain gardens protect your yard from water overflow.
Step 3: You can test the soil in your location.
Before you dig, make sure the soil is suitable for your garden.Rain gardens do best with sandy or well drained soils.Take a shallow hole and fill it with water.The soil is not good enough for a rain garden if the water stays in the hole for two days.If the soil in your area is non-permeable, you can create your own soil.30% sand is the ideal rain garden soil.For proper drainage, place this mixture into the existing soil.
Step 4: Use stakes and string to plot the size of your garden.
The rain gardens range in size from 100 to 300 square feet.Your garden won't have room for plant variety if you have a smaller garden.It will be hard to dig a perfect slope if you build larger.Your area's weather patterns will affect how large your rain garden will be.If you get a lot of rain, you'll want a bigger garden.Small gardens will help with the flow of water.
Step 5: You can plan your garden's depth based on its slope.
The rain gardens are between 4-7 inches deep.If your location's slope is less than 4%, you'll want a rain garden between 3-6 inches deep.The rain garden should be 6-7 inches deep for slopes between 5-7%).The best slope is 8 inches deep.Rain gardens deeper than 8 inches (20.3 centimeters) are not ideal.They tend to hold water for too long and become more of a pond than a rain garden.
Step 6: Plants are native to your area.
Plants that thrive well in rain gardens are hardy and healthy.Regional plants are adapted to the climate and local rainfall fluctuations, so they will be low-maintenance in your rain garden.Local plant nurseries are the best place to purchase native plants.
Step 7: Purchase plants that have already matured.
Plants with high quantities of water will not thrive, so don't buy seeds or seedlings.They don't have enough developed root systems to handle the rain.Plants that are at least one or two years old will have established root systems.If you want to avoid getting seedlings, ask your local nursery for mature plants.
Step 8: Plants thrive in wetlands.
Plants that can handle a lot of rain.You can find native wetlands plants on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Wetland Plant List.If you want to know which plants thrive in your climate, check out local gardening magazines or your city's plant nursery.
Step 9: shrubs for erosion protection
Plants with dense root systems hold rain gardens together best.Shrubs have developed root systems that absorb excess water.You should look for shrubs that are adapted to your soil.Clays are preferred by most shrubs.Shrubs grow well in moist conditions.Add shrubs to the rain gardens.
Step 10: To get to the depth you want, dig out your garden area.
Measure the slope and dig your garden to the desired depth once you've staked out your rain garden dimensions.Use the straight, flat board and carpenter's level to get out of the garden.Measure the garden's bottom until you eliminate any bumps or dips.Make sure you achieve an ideal depth by checking your garden's slope.
Step 11: A berm is needed to hold water.
Runoff from your garden can be prevented by a berm.Raising mounds of earth around the perimeter of the garden is possible with leftover soil.If you want your berm to be less susceptible to erosion, build it with gentle sloping sides.
Step 12: The basin should be filled with soil.
Add soil to your rain garden after you've dug out your garden.You can either use pre-mixed rain garden soil or general gardening topsoil.If you want to add compost to your garden, make sure to mix it with the soil as it will give you more nutrition.The compost content in your soil should be around 20-30%.The clay in your soil should be very low.Take a small amount of soil and squeeze it.The clay content is too high if the soil stays clumped together and doesn't fall apart when prodded.
Step 13: You can add your plants.
Place your plants one foot apart so their roots have room to grow.Depending on your location's size, a rain garden can have as little as three or as many as dozens of plants.To avoid drying out your plants, pack plenty of soil around the root systems.Bring a stable root system to your garden by placing shrubs in between different flower varieties.Specific planting instructions can be found in some plant varieties.To avoid damaging your plants, research the needs of each species.
Step 14: For the first two years, add mulch to your garden.
The mulch helps nurture your plants while they adjust to the soil.Heavy mulches, like gorilla hair mulch and shredded wood or rock, are better in rain gardens to prevent them from floating away.A layer covering the top of the hill is preferred.mulching is not necessary after the second year.
Step 15: In dry spells, water your plants.
During the first few years of your garden's existence, you will need to water it.It is advisable to water your garden with 1-2 inches per week.Your plants will need less care after several years.Only water your garden if it has not rained for 10 days.Plants with brown or yellow leaves, plant blisters, and grey roots are signs of over watering.Weak growth, dry soil, and dry leaves are signs of underwatering.
Step 16: Take care of your garden.
For the first few years, your garden will be vulnerable to weeds so keep an eye on it.To avoid regrowth, remove weeds from the root.It's best to keep your plants healthy once or twice a month.Your garden should be able to handle itself after several years.
Step 17: It's a good idea to inspect your garden frequently.
If you enter your rain garden once a week, you can look for garden erosion.If there is trash in the rain garden, remove it along with the weeds.It's a good idea to check your garden several days after a rain storm.Plants may become over hydrated if there is standing water in the rain garden.If you want to absorb the water quickly in your rain garden, add more organic mulch and topsoil.If you have a rain garden, make sure to keep your gutter clean.