The Benefits of a Rain Garden and why you should have one.

Rainfall in Lake County Ohio can be very isolated at times, it could be down pouring in Mentor and dry as a bone in Chardon.  With that said, we need to be very resourceful with the rain we get.

Rain is a natural resource that can be put to good use and a rain garden is a resourceful way to add beauty to the landscape.  The rain is collected from runoff areas such as driveways, parking lots & roofs and will flow through to soak your plants.  This will naturally filter the rain and greatly reduce excessive runoff into storm drains.

Below is an image of a residential rain garden.

Rain Barrels

A great addition to a rain garden is a rain barrel.  Rain barrels collect rain water from your downspout.  The rain barrel can slowly water the rain garden with a soaker hose attached and also provide water for other plants throughout your property.

Below is a detailed manual on rain garden installation and plant selection native to northeastern Ohio;

http://www.lakecountyohio.gov/Portals/20/forms/Projects/raingardenmanual.pdf

www.centralohioraingardens.com for more info.

For plants and materials Pettiti’s Garden Center in Mentor, Ohio has a vast selection.