Downspouts are becoming even more functional by being the sources of fresh-looking rain gardens. Because it is hard to tell when it is going to be rainy or sunny in Minnesota, or when there is drought or flood, it is important to make plans for the many gardens throughout.
One of the best ways to keep Minnesota looking green even during dry periods is to install a rain garden.
The garden is depressed so it pools water and then the water drains within 24 hours. This means it can handle the first flush of storm water runoff.
If you have an issue with an area in your yard that pools water, then a rain garden is the perfect way to resolve that. It also helps sediment control and it sustains the water supply. To create a garden, all you have to do is a little homework. For instance, seeing where the water is coming from or where you want it to come from if you know where you want to locate your garden.
If you want your garden to be in a specific place, you can direct the downspout toward the rain garden.
As for what to put in your garden, it should have trees, native plans, shrubs, grasses, or perennials. All of the plants within need to be tolerant of Minnesota’s weather conditions. Consider that Minnesota’s native plants tolerate the weather well.
Overall, it is a very easy thing to do. The laborious part of it is the part where you have to dig it out so you have a basin. After that, you can make it look any way you want. You can include as many or as few plants as you want and make it look as manicured as you want. What’s most important is that it makes your yard look great while benefitting the environment.
