Is your lawn plagued with low lying areas that accumulate water after every rainstorm? No matter what you do, that part of your yard remains a soggy, damp mess? Maybe it’s time to stop fighting it. Work with your lawn by establishing a rain garden! A rain garden is exactly what it sounds like: a bowl-shaped area in your lawn used to soak up excess rainwater before it runs off into your neighbor’s yard. Using water-friendly plants, you can work with nature instead of against it. Here is our guide on how to make a rain garden at your Asheville home.
Creating a Rain Garden
Start by assessing your lawn. Find out the lowest point where water tends to gather, and grab a shovel.
You’ll want to dig a hole about five to ten feet long and eight inches deep. You can use the soil you remove as a barrier around the edge of your rain garden. Consider using decorative rocks to line the berm and add a pleasing feature. Replace the soil with a well-drained mix. You can buy this at a local garden store or make your own using a mixture of course sand and clay. Spread a layer of compost and get ready to plant.
Best Rain Garden Plants
It’s best to use native plants when making a rain garden in Asheville: plants that have a high tolerance for North Carolina’s flood and drought conditions. Swamp hibiscus and rush work well as a centerpiece.
Virginia Sweetspire is good for the middle ring.
Winter Holly does well on the edges.
Using a variety of plants will add a touch of beauty and make it more resistant to disease Make sure to arrange the plants according to water tolerance, with the most tolerant plants being in the center while the least tolerant form the border.
These are just a few examples. Find plants that suit you and your yard and arrange them according to water tolerance. You’ll have a beautiful and unique rain garden of your own in no time!
Need additional help? Visit our Asheville lawn care page for more info!
