In the News - July 2008
Rainwater creates gardeners
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Arkansans who lack the green thumb to successfully
cultivate a more traditional garden may find solace and success in a rain
garden, says Katie Teague, Washington County agriculture extension agent for the
University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.
"The biggest reason people enjoy these gardens is they are so low
maintenance," Teague said.
A rain garden is a landscaped depression, used to collect runoff from a roof,
driveway or yard. The garden’s bottom is flat, allowing the rainwater to
distribute evenly among plants. Within 48 hours, the water soaks completely into
the ground, strengthening the roots of the plants and supplementing the
groundwater supply.
The design of a rain garden is based on how much water will drain to the
area. The ideal conditions are between 100 and 300 square feet in size, between
4 and 8 inches deep. Any smaller, and the runoff might overflow the garden,
defeating the purpose of collecting the rain water. Any larger, and some of the
plants in the garden will not receive enough water to thrive.
Plants chosen for a rain garden should be native species with the ability to
survive in extremely wet and extremely dry conditions. The roots of these plants
grow deep into the soil and can survive periods of drought without requiring any
extra irrigation.
"In two years, the garden shouldn’t need any extra watering, weeding or
fertilizing," she said.
The ideal location for a rain garden is a place in the yard affected by a
downspout - where rainwater tends to collect after a storm. The most typical
placement of a rain garden is near a house or other structure to catch runoff
from the roof or gutter system. However, the rain garden should be at least 10
feet away from any structure to prevent damage to the foundation.
Rain gardens can be extremely helpful in rectifying any standing water
problems gardeners may face.
"Not only do they add a beautiful landscape feature to your yard, but they
can also solve a standing water problem," Teague said.
One mistake many gardeners make is attempting to cultivate a rain garden at
the site of the standing water. The purpose of the garden is to allow water that
collects to soak slowly into the ground within 48 hours. To solve a standing
water problem, the garden should be cultivated upslope of the affected area, to
catch the water and allow it to drain before collecting. The garden could be
cultivated down slope of the standing water, if a method of irrigation is
employed to transfer the water into the garden.
Another misconception some gardeners have comes from the name "rain garden"
itself. Throughout most of the year, these gardens will have dry beds - to the
surprise of some gardeners expecting something more alike a pond.
Rain gardens also boast many environmental benefits. These gardens protect
local streams from urban rainwater pollutants, increase the groundwater supply,
provide habitat for local birds and beneficial insects and help maintain steady
creek flows through times of storms or drought.
For more information on rain gardens, visit
www.uaex.edu. The Cooperative Extension Service is part of the University of
Arkansas Division of Agriculture.
July 3, 2008
Media Contact: Lamar James
Extension Communications Specialist
U of A Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
(501) 671-2187 or (501) 753-0207
ljames@uaex.edu
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