Gardening with Sam: Growing a rain garden

As more and more land is paved for development, big rains have to run off somewhere. Why not a rain garden, instead of running into the street and on into local rivers and lakes?

Typically made in shallow depressions of landscape, rain gardens are designed to catch storm runoff from roofs, driveways, patios and other hard surfaces.

A rain garden prevents pollution, and that’s only one benefit. By having a garden like this, the water goes back into the ground, and you have beautiful flowers.

You have to watch to be sure the water does not stand there for a long period of time, or you might hatch bugs. Mosquitoes are the No. 1 problem you have to watch for.

Bee balm, black-eyed Susans, iris and cone flowers are good ones to plant in a rain garden.

If you have water there all the time, try grasses and woody stems, or visit your local garden shop to look for water plants. Lilies and bamboo are good ones. Bamboo needs to be in a pot, though, or you will have it everywhere.

Think you don’t have space for a rain garden? Think again. Rain gardens can be just a small spot in the garden where water runs off and forms standing water.

Enjoy your garden early in the mornings and late in the evenings.