Rain Gardens

WHAT IS A RAIN GARDEN?Native Soil and Forests of Western Washington store, filter, and slowly release cool, clean water to streams, wetlands, and Puget Sound.

Not so with roads, rooftops and other hard surfaces. When it rains or snows, the water carries oil, fertilizers, pesticides, sediment and other pollutants downstream and ultimately into the Sound.

Rain gardens provide a filter for pollutants before they leave your garden. These gardens help recharge the groundwater, provide habitat for beneficial insects and birds.

If you've ever been to a wetland you would be familiar with the sorts of plants that grow there and wildlife that frequent them, such as butterflies, dragonflies, frogs, hummingbirds, turtles and a whole host of song and marsh birds. Of course your garden may be too small to lure in Great Blue Herons, but butterflies, hummingbirds, dragonflies, frogs and turtles will be delighted residents.

How do I build a rain garden? There is a handbook from WSU Peirce County that is free to download here.