What Is A Rain Garden?

A rain garden is a shallow landscaped depression designed to capture and absorb rainwater from roofs, driveways, patios, and other hard surfaces. They are shallow, landscaped depressions planted with native flowers, grasses, and shrubs that capture and absorb rainwater from roofs, driveways, and other hard surfaces. Instead of rushing into storm drains and nearby streams, stormwater slowly soaks into the ground, reducing flooding, improving water quality, and creating valuable habitat for pollinators and wildlife.

Why Rain Gardens Matter

During heavy rain, water flowing off roofs, driveways, patios, and lawns quickly enters nearby streams. This fast-moving runoff contributes to flooding, erosion, and pollution. A properly designed rain garden captures this runoff, allowing it to soak naturally into the soil where it belongs.

Even a small rain garden can make a meaningful difference—and when many homeowners install them, the benefits extend throughout the entire watershed..

Could Your Yard Benefit from A Rain Garden?

A rain garden may be a good choice if you have:

✔ Water flowing from downspouts.

✔ A low area where water naturally collects.

✔ Areas of lawn that remain wet after storms.

✔ Space at least 10 feet from your home's foundation.

Most residential rain gardens are only 100–300 square feet and can be adapted to almost any landscape..

A residential rain garden is typically only 100–300 square feet—about the size of a parking space—but can capture hundreds of gallons of stormwater during a heavy rain.

Avoid These Common Mistakes

• Locate where runoff naturally flows.

• Use native plants.

• Keep it 10+ feet from foundations.

• Mulch after planting.

• Placing a rain garden where water already stands for days.

• Planting too close to your home's foundation.

• Using invasive or non-native plants.

• Directing too much water into a garden that is too small.

• Forgetting to maintain the garden during the first growing season.

• Don't direct sump pump discharge into your rain garden.

Every Rain Garden Makes a Difference

When many homeowners capture rain where it falls, streams experience less erosion, cleaner water, and healthier wildlife habitat.

Small changes on many properties create lasting benefits across the watershed.

Every property can make a difference.

Whether you plant a rain garden, install a rain barrel, or add native plants to your landscape, you're helping reduce flooding and improve the health of the Paunacussing Creek.

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