RainScapes Watershed Friendly Landscapes Tour 2012 – June 16th

I have mentioned the benefits of rain gardens many times, but the The Montgomery County website describes their benefits better than I can:

Environmental Benefits

Most rainfall on urban surfaces such as roofs, driveways, roads, parking lots and patios ends up as stormwater runoff. In contrast rainfall on natural surfaces (e.g., forests and meadows) soaks into the ground where it can replenish groundwater and recharge streams. RainScapes techniques include rainfall capture and holding, rainfall interception, and simulating good, natural drainage which help to:

• Reduce stormwater runoff volumes from individual properties
• Reduce drainage problems on a property
• Prevent stormwater pollution from entering our streams
• Reduce water consumption during dry spells
• Reduced need for mowing, fertilizer and pesticide applications
• Enhance yard aesthetics
• Enhance wildlife habitat
• Reduce energy costs to heat and cool your home
• Increase property values

In order to help illustrate the benefits of Rainscapes, there will be a self-guided tour of Rainscapes in Montgomery County on June 16th from 9am – Noon. This is a great opportunity to see just how beautiful and effective Rainscapes can be.

To download a pdf document with descriptions of the various landscapes on the tour, click here: RainScapes Watershed Friendly Landscapes 2012

Soaking up more info about rain gardens

I still haven’t started my rain garden yet, even though it is definitely something that I would like to get done before it becomes too hot this year. Rain gardens are such a great way to help prevent stormwater runoff, which is a leading cause of flooding and local waterway pollution.

Since a picture is worth 1000 words, I’m hoping that some of you who do have rain gardens will enter photos in our Green Gardeners Make a Difference Photo contest so I can gain a little inspiration from your success stories. You can help educate and inspire others and you have the chance to win some great prizes (top prize is $700 worth of garden goodies).

In the meantime, I found a great article about a rain garden success story and it also has some links for more information.

The article is in the Severna Park Patch and is entitled Rain Gardens ‘Spring’ Back to Life by John Dawson, who is currently taking training at the Watershed Stewards Academy to become a watershed steward.

I encourage you to check out the article.

And whether you have a rain garden or not, I encourage you to take a walk around your yard, with your camera, and take a photo to share in our Green Gardeners Make a Difference photo contest. A native plant, a rain barrel, a butterfly on a flower – any of these things help to illustrate the eco-friendly aspects of your garden and we would love to share them with our readers.

Plants for Rain Gardens

I mentioned yesterday that I’m in the process of planning a rain garden. I’ve been doing a little bit of research, trying to find plants that might work for the areas we have, which are all fairly shady. As a personal preference, I also don’t want plants that are going to grow too tall and block my view of the rest of the yard.

Here’s a list I found in the Rain Garden Design and Construction Handbook which I mentioned in my previous post. The complete list (in the booklet) provides a lot more information about each specific plant. There are quite a few that look like they will work in our shady locations and not get too tall, including swamp milkweed, blue mistflower, and blue flag iris.

Here is a list of suitable Native Plants from the Rain Garden Design and Construction Handbook which I found on the Northern Virginia Regional Commission website.

Common Name	Scientific Name	Light	Size
Flowering Perennials
Swamp milkweed	Asclepias incarnata	Sun-pt. shade	2-4’
New England Aster	Symphotrichum novae-angliae	Sun	2-4’
Turtlehead	Chelone glabra	Sun-shade	3-6’
Blue mistflower	Conoclinium coelestinum	Sun-shade	1-3’
Joe-Pye weed	Eupatorium fistulosum	Sun-pt. shade	3-8’
Ox-eye sunflower	Heliopsis helianthoides	Sun-pt. shade	3-5’
Marsh mallow	Hibiscus moscheutos	Sun	3-5’
Blue flag	Iris versicolor	Sun-pt. shade	2-3’
Blazingstar	Liatris spicata	Sun-pt. shade	3-4’
Cardinal flower	Lobelia cardinalis	Sun-shade	3-6’
Beardtongue	Penstemon digitalis	Sun-pt. shade	2-5’
Obedient plant	Physostegia virginiana	Sun-shade	3-5’
Wild bergamot	Monarda fistulosa	Sun-pt. shade	2-4’
Beebalm	Monarda didyma	Sun-pt. shade	3-4’
Black-eyed susan	Rudbeckia hirta	Sun-pt. shade	1-3’
Rough-stemmed goldenrod	Solidago rugosa	Sun-pt. shade	3-5’
Blue vervain	Verbena hastata	Sun-pt. shade	2-5’
Ironweed	Vernonia noveboracensis	Sun-pt. shade	5-8’
		Light
Grasses, Grass-like Plants & Ferns
Broomsedge	Andropogon virginicus	Sun-pt. shade	1-3’
Sea oats	Chasmanthium latifolium	Sun-pt. shade	2-4’
Soft rush	Juncus effusus	Sun-pt. shade	1-3’
Cinnamon fern	Osmunda cinnamonea	Sun-shade	3-5’
Royal fern	Osmunda regalis	Sun-shade	2-6’
Switchgrass	Panicum virgatum	Sun-pt. shade	3-6’
Indian grass	Sorghastrum nutans	Sun-pt. shade	3-6’
Shrubs & Trees
Serviceberry	Amelanchier canadensis	Sun-shade	15-25’
Red chokeberry	Aronia arbutifolia	Sun-pt. shade	6-12’
Black chokeberry	Aronia melanocarpa	Sun-pt. shade	3-6’
Buttonbush	Cephalanthus occidentalis	Sun-shade	6-12’
Silky dogwood	Cornus amomum	Sun-shade	6-12’
Winterberry	Ilex verticillata	Sun-shade	6-12’
Virginia sweetspire	Itea virginica	Sun-shade	4-8’
Spicebush	Lindera benzoin	Pt. shade-shade	6-12’
Ninebark	Physocarpus opulifolius	Sun-pt. shade	6-12’
Elderberry	Sambucus canadensis	Sun-shade	6-12’
Highbush blueberry	Vaccinium corymbosum	Sun-shade	6-12’
Arrowwood viburnum	Viburnum dentatum	Sun-shade	6-8’

Planning for (another) rainy day

I was wandering around our yard the other day thinking that the next project we should undertake is creating some sort of rain garden.

We know the importance of keeping as much of the rainwater ON our property as possible, rather than letting it run off. This slows down the runoff, helping to filter pollutants before the water reaches local water supplies. Helping to do our part to slow down pollution is one of the reasons that we  have rain barrels on several of our downspouts and why adding more to the other downspouts is on our ever-growing to-do list.

We also have very long drainage tubes attached to the overflow pipes of our rain barrels, which allows us to direct the water away from our house and into whatever area we choose. But so far, we haven’t taken advantage of that runoff by planting gardens of water loving plants.

Right now I’m still in the planning stage, doing a little research on what plants will work well in a rain garden and also survive on our shady property.

I’ve found a lot of great information on planning and designing rain gardens, and wanted to share some of it with you if the rainy days also have you seeking solutions for your soggy spots.

Rain Gardens – Arlington, VA website

Rain Garden Design and Construction Manual (pdf)

Beautifying Your Yard for Healthy Streams - Residential Rain Gardens – Many links on this page for more info (Northern Virginia Regional Commission)

May is American Wetlands Month - How to help Protect these Vital Eco-systems

In addition to being Garden for Wildlife Month, May is also American Wetlands Month, a time “to celebrate the vital importance of wetlands to the Nation's ecological, economic, and social health”.
As gardeners, we play an important role in helping to protect local wetlands.

 What are wetlands? As defined on the EPA website: “Wetlands are the link between the land and the water. They are transition zones where the flow of water, the cycling of nutrients, and the energy of the sun meet to produce a unique ecosystem characterized by hydrology, soils, and vegetation—making these areas very important features of a watershed.” Benefits of wetlands:  

• Animal habitat – Wetlands provide habitat for plants and animals in the watershed.
• Water storage - When rivers overflow, wetlands help to absorb and slow floodwaters helping to prevent damage from floods.
• Water filtration - Wetlands also absorb excess nutrients, sediment, and other pollutants before they reach rivers, lakes, and other water bodies.
• Recreation - They are great spots for fishing, canoeing, hiking, and bird-watching, and they make wonderful outdoor classrooms for people of all ages.

But the bad news is, despite all the benefits provided by wetlands, the United States loses about 60,000 acres of wetlands each year. The very runoff that wetlands help to clean can overload and contaminate these fragile ecosystems. As a homeowner, you can help protect wetlands by following other steps that help to prevent polluted stormwater runoff.

• Plant native vegetation in your yard
• Eliminate or limit your use of harmful fertilizers and pesticides which can pollute nearby waterways
• Plant native grasses or forested buffer strips along wetlands on your property to protect water quality
• Direct all downspouts to porous surfaces rather than solid surfaces such as driveways
• Create swales (small dips in the ground) and berms (raised earthen areas) to help divert runoff to porous surfaces.
• Install rain barrels
• Incorporate porous surfaces Whenever possible, use bricks, gravel, turf block, mulch, pervious concrete or other porous materials for walkways, driveways or patios.

For more information: Build a wetland in your backyard. Learn how by visiting the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s web site page: Backyard Wetland Wetlands Walk: A Guide to Wetlands and Wildlife Sanctuaries in the Washington, DC Metropolitan Area EPA Wetlands Page

Raingarden Workshop – March 31st

Raingardens for Homeowners. Saturday, March 31^st.  9:30 AM – 12:30 PM. 

Rain gardens, also known as bioretention areas, are attractive landscape features that allow rain water and snow melt to infiltrate into the ground.  A layer of mulch and plants intercept water running off streets, driveways, and rooftops, slowing its flow and removing pollutants before the water reaches local streams, the Occoquan River and the Potomac River, drinking water supplies for the region. 

The workshop will be held at Fairlington Community Center, 3308 S. Stafford St.  Arlington, VA.  

To register, please email Aileen Winquist at awinquist@arlingtonva.us     More information:  http://www.novaregion.org/raingardens

Beautiful Ways to Save the Rain

Rainy days are great for sitting around dreaming and wishing. What I’m wishing for right now is a better way to capture all of this rain water that is getting away from me.

Sure, we have rain barrels at our house, so I can take a little bit of “green” pride in the fact that I’m saving a couple hundred gallons of water, and using the overflow tubes to direct water to the places that I want it in the garden. But there are still thousands of gallons that are just washing away.

So I decided to use these rainy days to look into some other options for capturing rain water.

The coolest thing that I have found, and something I definitely want to learn more about, is the Aquascape RainXchange Rainwater Harvesting system. Basically, these systems divert the rainwater, store it underground, and “reveal” it on the surface through either a fountain or pond.

Some of the benefits of these systems, from the Aquascape website, are:.

• Clean, Filtered Water Collection & Storage - While you enjoy the benefits of a decorative water feature, the RainXchange™ Rainwater Harvesting System filters the stored water to prevent stagnation and growth of unhealthy bacteria.
• The RainXchange™ Rainwater Harvesting System reveals only a beautiful water feature that integrates easily into existing landscape.
• Collecting and storing the water underground maintains the integrity and beauty of your home and landscape.
• Wildlife Habitat - Because the water stored in the RainXchange™ System is constantly moving and being aerated, it becomes a sanctuary for wildlife.
• Water Feature Lifestyle - Enhanced landscaping improves property value and water features provide soothing sights and sounds that help you relax and de-stress in today’s busy world.
• Environmental Conservation - Capturing rainwater to operate the water feature creates true self-sustainability, drastically reducing the need for chemically-treated traditional water sources.

I used the Aquascape website to find a Certified Aquascape Contractor in the area and Tom Hunt, of Green Earth Landscaping, LLC was happy to allow me to share some of the photos of rainwater harvesting systems he has on his website. Hunt told me that they have installed three of these systems in the area: 500, 1000 and 2000 gallons. Hunt has been in the landscaping business in the area for 20 years.  

According to their website, rainwater harvesting is one of Green Earth Landscaping's specialities, and they definitely seem to know the importance that harvesting rainwater can play for our local environment.

“Capturing rainwater decreases the high demand for municipal water while providing homeowners with a beautiful and sustainable way to manage stormwater runoff," Hunt said. " And studies show that plants watered with rainwater are healthier and grow better than plants watered with municipal water.”
















The RainXchange systems all seem to work on the same principle. They capture the rain water and store it underground in modular aquablocks. The rainwater can then be used to flow through a fountain or to help
maintain a garden pond.

In this case, a picture is really worth a thousand words. Green Earth Landscaping, LLCs website has some fantastic photos of RainXchange projects to let you see just how beautiful these projects can be. And it looks like they also do rain barrels, rain gardens and pervious pavers.

If you are looking for something to do while the rains are keeping you indoors, I encourage you to check them out. (There are also several other Certified Aquascape Contractors in the area). And keep in mind that there are many local incentive programs that may help you pay for your rain harvesting system, whether it is a rain barrel, rain garden or RainXchange system. Leah Lemoine, Environmental Protection Specialist for the District Department of the Environment told me that they have even more rebates in the works - up to $500 for rain gardens and dry wells.

For information about rebate programs for rain barrels, rain gardens, etc: How to Earn Green by Going Green

More information from this blog:

The Rain Barrel Response

The Benefits of Permeable Surfaces are Starting to Soak In      

Landscape Hints from an Eco-Cool Remodel Tool

I found this really cool....I mean ECO-Cool...Remodel Tool through an article on Treehugger.com.

The Eco-Cool Remodel Tool is one of several green tools on the website for King County, Washington's Solid Waste Division's website.

This neat web-based Tool lets you select an area of a model green home to reveal ideas and tips for environmentally-friendly renovations.

Here are some of the tips listed when you select the landscape area of the drawing (I have provided some links to local, related articles):

Yard
Patios, walkways and paths
•Use permeable materials for patios, walkways and paths such as clay brick, rock or concrete pavers, broken concrete, recycled glass pavers, crushed rock, wood chips, nutshells, and tumbled recycled glass to help minimize runoff and flooding. Impermeable (non-porous) surfaces such as concrete patios and paths do not allow rainwater to naturally percolate into the soil.

Landscape
Designing your landscape to match its conditions, such as climate, shade and moisture levels will save you money and time, and will look natural and beautiful. Design your landscape so it requires minimal water and maintenance:

•Select native plant species. They are adapted to your area, many are drought-tolerant, and most do not need additional fertilizer.
•Certify your backyard as a Certified Wildlife Habitat through the National Wildlife Federation. Create a backyard habitat that will attract beautiful songbirds, butterflies, frogs, and other interesting wildlife for viewing from your very own window.
•Install water-wise or drought-resistant plants.
•Use pest- and disease-resistant plant varieties.
•Put the right plant in the right place (e.g. installing shade plants in the shade, not the sun)
•Use mulch to protect plants and conserve water.
•If your house is on top of a hill or other breezy location, plant trees or shrubs to block the prevailing wind. This will help reduce cold air infiltration.
•Minimize the amount of lawn in your yard.

Irrigation systems
•Automatic sprinkler systems waste about 30 percent of the water they deliver. It is possible to design a landscape that minimizes the need for regular supplemental watering once the landscape is established.

◦Soaker hoses and drip irrigation are good alternatives to permanent in-ground irrigation systems. Soaker hoses are made from recycled plastic and are inexpensive. Drip irrigation systems apply water directly to the soil through tiny emitters so they allow for more precise watering to match the needs of specific plant types.

◦If you choose to install a permanent in-ground irrigation system, look for piping made from polyethylene, as opposed to PVC.
•Install a weather-based irrigation controller that automatically adjusts the watering schedule according to the weather.
•If your garden hose leaks at the spigot threads, try to install a rubber, round-edged washer instead of a flat-edged washer.

Rainwater harvest
You can minimize potable water use by storing roof rainwater for later use in the yard. Whichever system(s) you choose, you will be helping to reuse water that would normally go to waste in a storm drain. First, reduce your water consumption, then invest in harvesting systems.

•Water can be stored in rain barrels, cisterns or rain gardens.
•Cisterns are large tanks that can store hundreds to thousands of gallons of water, enough to significantly reduce or eliminate the need to use municipal water for landscape purposes.
•You can also put roof water directly to use in your yard with a rain garden. Rain gardens feature plants that thrive in wet conditions coupled with soils that allow safe ground percolations. Rain gardens must be carefully designed and located to avoid flooding.