Rain gardens are a really good way of helping to slow down rain water and helping to filter out all the pollution and rubbish from the water before it goes into the stormwater system and our waterways. I was going to write about what I’ve read about building a rain garden at home, but I actually thing that would be a bit of an thing to do as I have never done this myself and it won’t be something I am able to do, or even need to do in the near future-I feel it’s important to be able to try these things yourself so you can see some of what work is in your situation and what doesn’t, it makes it more relevant.

There are a few final things that I do want to say on the topic though, because there are a few things that seem to get lost in the information found on rain gardens, both in home gardens and the city streets where these rain gardens are used.

I’ll start with a point in home gardens. This is that you can have a really nice garden that functions well without having to put in a rain gardens or any other sort of ‘fancy’ and ‘trendy’ sort of thing that’s making the rounds. If you have a garden, it is far more important to look after the soil and plant plants that you enjoy and are happy in the conditions of your garden. If your soil is in a good condition and growing well, rain water will still soak into the soil, and slowly drain through the soil profile into the water table underneath. This reduces runoff going into the stormwater system precisely because it soaks into the soil naturally, helping take the pressure off the man-made systems. This doesn’t need a lot of back breaking work to do.

The more people who have gardens and take care of them, the better the situation is, especially where there is often flooding-the more water that can soak into soil and not be sat on the hard surfaces of the streets is of huge benefit.

This leads nicely onto urban streets in general. I do think that there will always be a need for rain gardens in city areas, I also know that relying on them alone is a misguided fools game. There is ever more need for trees, shrubs, garden beds and greenery in general on streets and city centre areas. Trees are great, but they don’t fit everywhere and aren’t always suitable. Which is why shrubs, perennials and other plants in general should be planted out in these city areas. The more well-maintained gardens in cities there are, the less stormwater run-off there is when it rains, as some of that water soaks into the soil of these gardens instead of entering the stormwater drains. Reducing pollution and the amount of pollution entering our waterways aren’t the only benefits of more plants in city streetscapes.

More gardens and street plantings also has the added benefit of cooling down cities through added shade from plants with less stone, asphalt, concrete and glass to absorb that heat, and also through the evapotranspiration of water from the plants in the landscape. There is also less airborne pollution too-plants can trap this pollution in various ways-there are many plants that are great at dealing with this airborne pollution.

Another thing that I need to point out is that whether it is a home garden or trees planted along a street, there is no excuse for using the same plants as everyone else. Use a range of species. Take the example of a tree lined street, let’s say two actually. A street with uniform trees down both sides of that street is a great looking thing, I don’t argue that. The problem I have is that there is usually the same species on street after street after street. Fair enough have one species on one street, but on the next over have a different on, the same for every street in the area. It adds to local character, improves biodiversity, and reduces the likelihood of diseases or pests wiping out all the trees in the area.

The same applies to street plantings off any sort, whether trees or colourful annuals on a roundabout. It also applies to home gardens, maybe even more so. I do not, for the life of me, understand why anyone thinks having a garden that is almost exactly the same as those people next door to you is a good thing-it is plain old boring and just nasty. Do not be part of the crowd-you are better than that! I’ve never liked following the crowned-rather dull I’m afraid.

Finally, a word on natives. This word gets thrown around all the time when talking about plants and planting, as though native plants are the answer to every thing all of the time. It is at the point where it is fashionable and then anyone who dares use, or think about using, any plant other than a native is almost criminal. This is the wrong way to look at it.

I agree that natives should be used where possible. But there is also nothing at all wrong with having a few non-native plants in your garden or planted in your town or city streets. It is more important that you care for the plants in your garden correctly to prevent the non-natives under your care becoming weeds (some are more adept at breaking free than others). The same principle applies to those working in the local authorities that care for the street plantings and local parks. Its often up to us to call the out on their poor management unfortunately!

In conclusion, I would say that rain gardens have an important role to play in reducing water pollution and slowing down the speed at which water enters any storm water system. They are far from the only solution and should be part of the city landscape of plants within home gardens and street plantings. Rain gardens alone are not the solution to all problems, but are a very good start. We all have a part to play in reducing pollution and run-off on city streets, even if it is having a few pots on a balcony. It is not only the authorities that need to do something.