rain garden/native habitat garden/bayscaping

rain garden

Rain gardens are shallow landscaped depressions that capture rainwater runoff from impervious surface areas, including rooftops, paved streets, parking lots and compacted lawns.  Rain gardens absorb the rainwater runoff at or near where it falls.  This reduces the load of runoff into municipal sewer and stormwater systems.  In separated stormwater systems the runoff empties directly into waterways carrying pollutants from streets and lawns, and eroding stream and river banks causing sedimentation damaging to aquatic life and recreation.

Rain gardens are typically planted with wildflowers and other native vegetation over a complex mix of soils, sand and gravel that allow approximately 30% more water to soak into the ground.  Following a heavy rain, runoff will pond in the rain garden and be slowly filtered by the plants and soil.

For cities and other densely-built communities, it is much more cost effective, as well as environmentally sound, to build and plant rain gardens than to manage stormwater through conventional or ‘gray’ methods that require substantial environmental disruption and high material, labor and engineering costs associated with concrete catch basins, storm drain piping and large bioretention ponds.  Conversely, a rain garden is an aesthetically pleasing space that fosters a welcoming habitat for both wildlife and human gatherings.

A simple rain garden can be planted in most landscapes with little or no modification to existing conditions. It is easiest to plant the garden based upon natural drainage flows (look for low spots where water ponds following a heavy rain). However, if this is not feasible due to the location of existing structures, or for other reasons, some minor landscaping can redirect flows to areas that better meet site conditions.

Because the depth of a rain garden can be as little as six inches, heavy machinery is not necessarily required. Even sites with heavy clay or compacted soils can be conducive to rain gardens. For clay or hardpan soils, some excavation and replacement of soil may be necessary. When replacing soil, a mix of 50-60% sand, 20-30% topsoil, and 20-30% compost is recommended. Compacted, hardpan soils should be loosened, for drainage and root growth, to two feet deep. Ideally, the rain garden should be planted with native or locally adapted plant species. This provides for ease of care and maintenance as well as habitat for local, often beneficial, wildlife.

Rebates available through DC’s RiverSmart Homes Program

The District Department of the Environment (DDOE) encourages the use of Rain Gardens.  Through DDOE’s RiverSmart Homes Program rain gardens capture, filter and absorb stormwater runoff greatly reducing the volume of toxins, pollutants and trash entering our local streams and waterways.  Learn more and take advantage of the incentives of the RiverSmart Homes Program here.

native habitat garden

You can create a garden that attracts beautiful wildlife and helps restore habitat in commercial and residential areas.  By providing food, water, cover and a place for wildlife to raise their young you not only help wildlife, you improve the quality of your surroundings, your immediate environment, as well.  Whether your home is in a high-rise with a small balcony or an estate with extensive grounds, you can have a native habitat garden.  Learn more through the National Wildlife Federation.

bayscaping

In the Mid-Atlantic Region, BayScaping is planting vegetation native to the Chesapeake Bay region.  Native plants are indigenous species that were present in our region prior to the arrival of Europeans.  BayScaping is a low-cost alternative to traditional landscaping that utilizes turf grass and ornamental plantings.

BayScaping requires much less maintenance and cost than a grass lawn.  BayScaping:

• can eliminate the need for mowing, pruning, irrigation and fertilization
• is 50-80% less costly than conventional landscapes
• has a greatly survival rate than turf and ornamental plants
• is creative, unique and aesthetically pleasing

The District Department of the Environment (DDOE) promotes BayScaping.  Through DDOE’s RiverSmart Homes Program BayScaping improves the health of local streams and waterways by absorbing more stormwater than a conventional landscape.  Learn more about BayScaping in DC here.