The recent surge in seasonal rainfall in the Pacific Northwest has caught everyone’s attention. Pollutants that are washed into Puget Sound are a real concern, especially because it impacts our marine wildlife.
The good news is that you can make a difference right in your own backyard. By installing a rain garden, you can help filter stormwater runoff before it reaches the Sound. A rain garden is a depression that filters and cleans rainwater as it passes through specialized soils. This article from Urban@UW refers to rain gardens as “tiny water treatment facilities”.
Many of our customers have experienced the fun of watching their rain gardens fill up during a rain event and then dissipate when the rain has stopped.
Experts believe that even small rain gardens installed by homeowners can boost water quality. There's even a local movement in our state called Soils for Salmon, which provides resources and guidance for building healthy soils to protect dwindling salmon populations. Imagine the collective impact if everyone had a rain garden in their yard!
If you’re ready to get started, Washington State’s ecology department has a Rain Garden Handbook that is a good resource. Rain gardens not only add beauty and interest to our landscapes they also protect our waterways for wildlife and future generations.
Need help planning a rain garden for your landscape? Give us a call! We’d love to help.
