Rain gardens are installed in low lying areas of your property in a manner that collects runoff water from roofs and driveways. They are generally planted with native plants which help to hold the runoff water in the soil (and filter pollutants), thus allowing for the water to soak more slowly into the ground. Slowing the flow of water helps to prevent erosion in your yard and from carrying your soil into the local waterways.

The Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay has one of the most informative websites to get you started on rain gardens.   The

This next site, from our neighbors in Montgomery County, MD, provides tons of information, including a tremendous video that shows you exactly how to prepare a rain garden on your property.

Still interested in more about rain gardens? Check out Live Green Howard County or this slide show from Queen Anne’s County Department of Public Works.

Want to see a rain garden in Howard County? Stop by the Howard County Conservancy or Robinson Nature Center for working examples.