Rain gardens are an environmentally beneficial means of improving water quality and decrease storm water runoff; they are also a beautiful addition to any landscape.
A rain garden is a planted depression that allows rain runoff and storm water from roofs, paved walkways and compacted lawn areas to soak into the ground instead of flowing into storm drains and surface waters. Storm water causes erosion, water pollution, flooding and diminishes groundwater quality. Rain gardens can cut down on the amount of pollution reaching creeks and streams by up to 30%.
You can learn how to design and plant a rain garden, using native plants and low impact design, at a Raingardening in Your Watershed workshop at the Lake Sunapee Protective Association Building, Sunapee Harbor on Saturday, May 15 from 9:00 am to noon. The event is free, but you should RSVP to Lake Sunapee Protective Association (763-2210 or lspa@lakesunapee.org).