You Should Put in a Rain Garden

(Pssst, we talk a lot more about these on episode 177 of The Prairie Farm Podcast. Our guest, Andy James, deals with rain gardens for a living.)

Iowa has some dirty water. We love this state and its many beauties… but its water is not one of them. According Iowa’s state geologist, Keith Schilling, we are a cause for 30% of the nitrates in the Mississippi, even though we are only 4% of the water shed area.

So what can we do? Glad you asked.

If you have a yard, one of the most beneficial actions you can take is implementing rain gardens. Rain gardens are designed to capture, absorb, and manage rainwater, providing a range of environmental, social, and economic benefits.

Environmental Benefits

A large issue in Iowa, stormwater runoff, can be heavily mitigated by a rain garden. When too much water fall from the sky too quickly, the ground can’t absorb it all, so it rushes along the surface causing damage along the way—flash flooding, heavy erosion, and sediment movement. Rain gardens act as natural sponges that collect and hold rainwater, allowing it to slowly infiltrate into the ground. This process not only reduces the amount of runoff reaching local water bodies but also helps to recharge groundwater aquifers. By doing so, rain gardens improve the overall water quality in the region, as they filter out pollutants, sediments, and nutrients from the runoff, preventing these contaminants from entering streams and rivers. An important part of this filtration system is the roots of the garden plants. We highly recommend using native plants. John O’keefe, producer and director of the film “The Last Prairie” said some of the cleanest water he's ever experienced was in the Sand Hill Prairies of Nebraska. Prairie roots are acutely designed in a way to thoroughly filter the water.

Biodiversity and Habitat Enhancement

The Iowa's once rich biodiversity faces near extinction due to agriculture cultivation and urbanization. Rain gardens offer an opportunity to restore and enhance local ecosystems. The native wildflowers and prairie commonly used in rain garden designs attract diverse wildlife, such as birds, butterflies, and insects. These gardens create microhabitats that support local biodiversity, fostering a healthier and more vibrant environment. As native plants have adapted to the region's climate, they require less maintenance, reducing the need for fertilizers and pesticides that can harm the environment. Wouldn’t it be amazing to see butterflies fly through Chicago in great number every year? It might seem ridiculous, but we are only a few rain gardens away from making this happen.

Community Engagement and Aesthetics

Rain gardens are not only functional but also aesthetically pleasing additions to the urban landscape. Their design can be tailored to complement your neighbors, your city, or your local sports team, enhancing the beauty and unity of your community. Moreover, involving local residents in the planning and maintenance of rain gardens fosters a sense of ownership and pride. When we take ownership of something, we care more about it, and we treat it better. You could see a whole city’s culture change by teaching people the importance of rain gardens, and the water they hold and filter.

Economic Advantages

Beyond their environmental and social benefits, rain gardens offer economic advantages to the Iowa. By reducing stormwater runoff, rain gardens alleviate the strain on municipal drainage systems, potentially lowering infrastructure maintenance costs. Additionally, decreased runoff means reduced erosion, preserving the integrity of roadways, bridges, and other infrastructure. Yes, your lone rain garden will probably affect the infrastructure very little, but similar to your vote, how you care for your yard matters, because every little bit counts.

We love rain gardens. They are a small sample of what wetlands were like once upon a time in Iowa. They are like a little time capsule that we get to care for. Again, we highly recommend using native plants for your rain garden.

Installing a rain garden is a very large task, if you’re looking for someone to install yours, give us a call! 641.594.3305

If you’re looking for seed to do it yourself, check out our prairie shop.

If you’re looking for more information on Iowa’s water, we have a podcast episode coming out in October 2023. You’ll be able to find it here.

Best of luck!