Rain gardens – what problems do they solve?

The fact that rainforests are necessary to the environment is unquestionable. Many plant and animal species do not live anywhere else, the forests contribute a lot to biodiversity. The vast green area draws carbon dioxide from the atmosphere in the process of photosynthesis, positively affecting the climate of the Earth. Unfortunately, the area of rainforests has been dramatically shrinking recently, due to human activities. For the last couple of decades, about 80% of the trees have been logged or burned. This is about a vast area far from Poland, but you can help the environment today, in your own micro-space.

What is a rain garden?

A rain garden is an area you can create in your own plot of land, in the premises of your office or another establishment. Such initiatives can already be seen in Poland, e.g. in Łódź, Gdynia and Olsztyn. To put it shortly, it is a properly located and planted cluster of appropriate hydrophyte plants. They remove toxins from the rainwater that then penetrates into the soil. A surface with such vegetation can be up to 40% more permeable than ordinary lawns, it may prevent floods and contributes to biodiversity.

Create it!

When establishing a rain garden, it is worth keeping in mind it should be placed directly underneath the gutter, so as to minimize the number of required installations. The perfect plants for a home rain garden will be: royal fern, irises, sedge and water flags. The installation will operate correctly if the appropriate draining layer is provided, consisting of gravel, sand and potting soil. Not only will such a garden be beautiful but it will also positively affect the cleanness of waters and the microclimate.