What is a Rain Garden?

What is a rain garden?

A rain garden is a shallow depression that is planted with deep-rooted native plants and grasses. The garden should be positioned near a runoff source like a downspout, driveway or sump pump to capture rainwater runoff and stop the water from reaching the sewer system.

Why plant a rain garden?

But why plant a rain garden? What is the point? Will it do any good? How do I plant a garden? What do I need to do? What do I do in the winter time? And then next spring?

Since 2003, Rain Garden Network has been helping individuals, groups and communities understand the importance of rain gardens, rainwater harvesting and identifying and planning the diversion of rainwater away from streets and sewers.

We have all the rain garden information you'll need to plant your garden this season.

New! Guides Available

New Guide to Buying and Installing a Rain Barrel **

New Native Plant Maintenance Guide

Rain Garden "How-To" Packet

Three laminated guides that will show you step-by-step:

(Choose U.S. Midwest, Northeast or Southeast plant list)

Quantity Discounts!

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2010 Event and Presentation Schedule

Subscribe to our E-newsletter

Summer 2009 Newsletter v4.7

Visit our Rain Garden Photo Gallery

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Alerts

"How to Use Stimulus Funds to Finance Green Infrastructure"

EPA - Clean Water State Revolving Fund

Watch Online  -  "Poisoned Water" by PBS

Rent the DVD or Watch the Trailer of "Flow" the film

Link to Municipal Sewer Information