Mount Pleasant Rain Garden Program
A program representative is in the process of contacting those residents of Ramsay Terrace and nearby streets in Mount Pleasant who have signed up for a free rain garden for their yard and less flooding for their neighborhood.
Anyone Can Make a Rain Garden
If you’re thinking of adding a flower bed to your property, why not make it one that not only looks good…but also does some good for you and your neighbors?
Make it a rain garden.
Like a rain barrel, a rain garden is a place to collect some of the rain water that’s now going into the storm sewer system.
And that’s a good thing.
Because the more water you keep out of the storm sewer system, the more you reduce the risk of flooding in your neighborhood.
Plus, you now have a garden that waters itself with free rain water.
Rain garden basics
A rain garden looks like most other landscape features, but with a few key differences:
- garden surface – the surface of a rain garden is gently dished out, like a bowl or saucer
- soil mix – some of the existing soil is replaced with a special mix that is good at soaking up water
- water source – water from a downspout is directed so that it flows into the rain garden.
Where you put your rain garden also is important. The particulars of your property – the slope of the ground, location of utility lines, and so on – will help determine the best location.
Good plants for a rain garden are native plants that can handle wet and dry conditions, like dogwood shrubs and daylilies.
Click here for a list of native Pennsylvania plants that work well in rain gardens
Click here for a Fact Sheet that answers basic questions about rain gardens
