Rain Gardens
To conserve water and maintain water quality, homeowners can make their yard into a rain garden. A rain garden is where roof runoff from rain and snow is collected and directed to garden plants. Rain gardens usually contain wetland-edge vegetation, such as shrubs, ferns, trees, rushes, and sedges, which absorb water very well. These absorbent plants keep runoff from washing pesticides and fertilizers into the sewer system. A rain garden can save water, reduce the necessity of pesticide and fertilizer use, and prevent flooding of storm drains.