The Rain in Spain should go Mainly Down the Rain Garden

How do you prevent the pollutants that are

ever-present in our environment from

contaminating the lakes and streams?

You create a RAIN GARDEN.  That's how.

Don't be confused, this is just a new term being used 

for what used to be called a swale. 

Essentially, a rain garden will trap and absorb storm water runoff so that 

it can be filtered through the soil instead of proceeding to run to

the lowest point in the area.  

Remember that saying "water seeks its own level"?

It's true.

This is a great photo to illustrate the concept of a rain garden.

Basically, most everyone has an area of their property 

were rainwater and storm runoff collects.

And, before you point out to me that this is an urban setting with a fire

hydrant in the background, I have to say that the very thin layer of 

soil in the northland is conducive to runoff almost as

much as a paved city street.

So, you need a rain garden.  Why not make it beautiful?

The idea surrounding rain gardens is that they SLOW DOWN

the rate of water running off of an area.  You don't have to have 

a ditch or create berms if you don't want to.  Just add a few more plants

to the slope to absorb the excess water during a heavy rain.

By the way, the water in a rain garden shouldn't last long enough to allow for standing water
that would become a mosquito breeding pond.  Before you plant and finish up your rain garden,
do a test for drainage and amend the soil with compost if you have heavy clay in your yard.

Perhaps, and likely, you have a boggy area on the lakeshore.

You can landscape it so that there are plants to hold the soil, prevent erosion,

and create a visually appealing area that once was swampy.

And, obviously, slope AWAY from the foundation of your home.

Your rain garden can be elaborate and grand....

...but it doesn't have to take on massive proportions.

You could simply collect the rainwater runoff from your roof at 

the base of your rain gutters. 

Of course, care must be taken when altering lakeshore, so be sure

to consult with the proper authorities before beginning your project.

A permit may be required, so do some checking before you start with your project.

 

That said, the Minnesota DNR heartily encourages 'lakescaping'.

You can read about it here:  http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakescaping/index.html

But, what types of plants should you incorporate into your rain garden?

You can do your own research on line at the Minnesota DNR website

OR

you could come in and talk to one of us about the right plants for

your particular yard or lakeshore.