Blossoming as storm water management tools across the country, rain gardens are hard working gardens that capture and slowly release rain water into the ground lessening the burden on our storm water infrastructure and aiding water quality and water quantity problems. 

In its simplest form, rain gardens are shallow depressions in the ground, landscaped with a permeable soil replacement mix and planted with grasses, forbs & shrubs that can withstand wet-dry cycles.  Rain gardens collect storm water runoff from impervious surfaces such as roofs and driveways and allow rain water to percolate into the ground.  Water can be routed to rain gardens by either disconnecting downspouts or simply capturing overland flow of water before it leaves your property.

If you would like more information on rain gardens, call Patricia Hughes at 216-524-6580, Ext. 15 to schedule a speaker’s bureau for your group.

Also coming this spring is our very own Northeastern Ohio “How to Build a Rain Garden Manual”.  More details on this in the future!                       

Got a green thumb and want to lend a hand?  Help build demonstration rain gardens around the county in 2006.  Call Cuyahoga Soil and Water Conservation District for more details! 216-524-6580