Across the US, a new type of garden that uses rainwater in a different way, known as rain gardens, are becoming increasingly popular. Rain gardens allow storm water runoff to be used for plant growth and soil enrichment rather than allowing storm water to run directly into the sewage system after a shower. Rain gardens gathers water for a certain time period, therefore not wasting a drop in the drains. And just like Calgary gardens designer, it can keep your lawn effective and at the same time letting you save water.
The idea of a rain garden is for rainwater to run off buildings, rooftops, and sidewalks to then sit on the surface of the garden until it is completely absorbed by the soil. Absorption basically lasts in a couple of hours, without worries of disrupting the insects ecosystem. The advantages in having this garden type is that it saves water consumption, thus helping you deal with the effects of global warming. Rain gardens potentially cut down the amount of pollution that reaches rivers and streams by 30% as well. You can see little garden prototypes in esplanades and city parks. The reason for this is that the garden will become extremely wet and extremely dry, depending on the amount of rain, and a large garden cannot handle that.
This gardens does not require to be fertilized, plus the runoff water from the rain has phosphorus and nitrogen which are helpful nourishment for plants. Small flowering plants and perennials would be the best plants for a rain garden. Native plants are recommended because they have the greatest tolerance for climate, soil, and weather conditions in that given area. These gardens boost wildlife and natural habitat in urban cities even more for it resembles a mini rainforest. While butterflies, birds, and beneficial insects will be drawn to rain gardens, harmful insects like mosquitoes will not be able to breed. The main reason for it is that rain gardens don’t have deep basins where mosquitoes like to gather.
Gardening Calgary Consultant can build you a garden pond if you want deeper water basins to hold water, but be sure to have pump, aeration and filter. One of the preferred water features today are Calgary ponds, with other incorporating a lagoon, a fountain or a cascading waterfall. Consider a koi pond filtration from Pond Deicer supply store in your pond as well, have a UV filter or basket filter so the pond health and efficiency is maintained. Garden ponds share similar purpose with rain garden for the most part.
Usually, rain gardens are placed ten feet from a house’s roof, though it can also be located much farther. The gardens are depressed a few inches (the depression is normally 8 inches to 3 feet) so that water can collect and do not have to be watered because they function like a natural irrigation system. The two basic types of rain gardens are under-drained and self-contained. Under-drained gardens usually drains quicker than because of the porous soil. After a rain storm, the lower elevation plant of under-drained gardens receives more water since it stays the ground for a while.
Overall, rain gardens are ideal for making urban areas greener (in both ways), encouraging biodiversity, and beautifying the area at no extra cost… as long as there’s occasional rain.
Written By:
Custom Stone and Waterscapes
3829 Parkhill Place SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2W6
Specializes in Calgary Landscape Design, Calgary Landscaping, Calgary Gardens, Calgary Ponds and Waterfalls.
(403)870-1142
