A rain garden is good for the environment.
But does it work for you?

A rain garden is both a rational choice and a philosophical one. Whether or not to install one really comes down to whether you want to make a personal, individual contribution to the environment, and whether a rain garden is a good fit for your landscape.

One way to make up your mind is to ask yourself a few questions. First, the rational ones:

• Do you have impervious surfaces such as rooftops, walkways, or driveways?
• Do you have existing downspouts running into your lawn?
• Have you detected any soil erosion on your property?
• Do you have an available garden location, particularly located downhill from a downspout or concrete area around your house?

Then, the philosophical ones:

• Do you care about the environment, particularly local water quality?
• Are you aware of, and concerned about, the amount of water that flows from your property into the local storm water system?
• Are you interested in a simple, low-cost way you can make a difference?

If you answered yes to one or more of either group of questions, a rain garden is a good choice for you, your community, and the environment.