This is a rain garden. It’s a strange idea for this recently arrived transplant to Seattle. But it’s not strange at all here, where it rains – a lot.
Rain is a big deal here, and rain runoff is also a big deal where the objective of Green Stormwater Infrastructure is to “welcome the rain – storing, draining, and cleaning it.”
The purpose of a rain garden is to slow up and clean polluted runoff from roads, roofs, etc. before all that dirty city rain can run off into the Puget Sound, Lake Washington, or any other body of water.
There’s another important reason rain gardens exist. Rainwater that runs into the city’s sewer system can cause sewage backups and flooding. Blech. To do their part, homeowners disconnect their drainage downspouts from the system and manage the runoff in cute garden features like the one above.
On a larger scale, the city of Seattle has committed to managing 700 million gallons of stormwater runoff using green infrastructure. One of the ways this is done is by creating rain runoff gardens on a large scale, also known as bioswales. Bioswales operate just like those little home rock gardens – storing, draining and cleaning the rain runoff before it is returned back to nature.
I chose these rain gardens as my one design idea because they are a great example of design solving a need, and so much more. They look great, are an avenue of personal expression, and a win for Mother Nature.
Great post and glad to see how everyone’s engaging building off on each other’s posts. Thanks Tara for sharing this inspiration. In some cities in India, the civic agencies have mandated rain/storm water collection systems to be implemented where rain water is stored in tanks underground. The example in your post by far, is the prettiest solution of all I’ve seen. As you said, it’s a visual treat for the eyes and a very responsible act in the interest of our planet as well!
Tara, this is so interesting. I never knew about this and I inspired at how people are taking the responsibility into their own hands to help the environment on a micro-level. Thanks for sharing!
This is an amazing idea! It sounds like its functional and community purpose is similar to that of drought-resistant gardens and pollinator gardens. All three types of gardens protect and preserve natural resources while using nature itself to create a more beautiful and useful solution to the problem.
One question– do YOU have a rain garden yet? Can we help you design one?
I do not have one yet! I live in a condo at the moment 🙁
I have to figure out how to set an alert for replies!
I like this. Everyone wins