Most people have heard the term ‘rain garden,’ but how many really know what that means? Rain gardens are simply shallow depressions (6-12 inches deep) that gather and filter runoff from roofs and driveways when it rains. Using native plants that aid this process, these gardens allow water to soak into the ground, rather than run into gutters, and from there, into local streams and rivers. Reducing the amount of runoff helps to reduce pollution, and aids in stopping sewer overflows and other flooding. Thus, rain gardens are an attractive, natural way to ease the burden modern construction has put on nature.
Interested in finding out how to help fight pollution by creating your own rain garden? You’re in luck–The Seattle Public Library’s annual Urban Self-Reliance program series will host “Rain Gardens in Seattle: Work With What You’ve Got”. This program will cover the basics of rain gardening, and also discuss the Seattle Public Utilities’ RainWise rebate program that can pay up to 100% of the costs of installing a rain garden at your home. These programs will happen on October 6th at 3:30 p.m. at the High Point Branch, and on October 23rd at 6:30 p.m. at the Montlake Branch. Both presentations are free, and do not require reservations.
If you can’t make either program, the library carries several books on the topic. One is the very helpful Creating Rain Gardens:Capturing Rain for your Own Water-efficient Garden , which covers all aspects of creating these gardens, as well as other water conservation methods (i.e. rain barrels, living roofs, and reusing greywater for irrigation). Another is Rain Gardens: Sustainable Landscaping for A Beautiful Yard and A Healthy World. Both are available in print or e-book formats.
Finally, there are two excellent City of Seattle websites that you can go to for more information: https://www.seattle.gov/util/groups/public/@spu/@usm/documents/webcontent/spu01_006287.pdf
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