Homeowners spend hundreds of dollars watering their yard, but there is an easy way to save money and resources—rain gardening. But what is it? As simple as collecting rain to reuse in front and backyards. Creating Rain Gardens is a comprehensive book for the DIY-er, covering everything from rain barrels to simple living roofs, permeable patios, and other low-tech affordable ways to save water in the garden. Water conservation experts Cleo Woelfle-Erskine and Apryl Uncapher walk homeowners through the process, with step-by-step instructions for designing and building swales, French drains, rain gardens, and ephemeral ponds—the building blocks of rain-catching gardens. From soil preparation, planting, troubleshooting, and maintenance, to selecting palettes of water-loving plants that provide four-season interest and a habitat for wildlife, Creating Rain Gardens covers everything a gardener needs to create a beautiful rain garden at home.

Rain gardens are at the forefront of the green revolution. This environmentally friendly landscaping captures rainwater runoff rather than redirecting it into storm drains. The result is less erosion, less water pollution, and a beautiful, low-maintenance, sustainable garden. This is the first rain garden handbook for the backyard home gardener. Co-authors Robert Domm and Lynn Steiner draw on hands-on experience to help homeowners build beautiful rain gardens in their own yards. Illustrated with color photography, this instructive book offers specific advice about planning, building, planting, and maintaining your garden. Learn about city grants, how to calculate runoff, rain barrels, attracting wildlife, gray water recycling, and much more.

Thе tеrm rаіn gаrdеn іѕ ѕоmеthіng оf a mіѕnоmеr. A rаіn gаrdеn соnjurеѕ uр vіѕіоnѕ оf unеndіnglу mоіѕt lаndѕсаре fеаturеѕ; dеlісіоuѕ bаѕіnѕ tееmіng wіth thіrѕtу plants аnd реrhарѕ аn lаnd аnd water рrоfісіеnt оr twо. In fасt, rаіn gаrdеnѕ еxреrіеnсе a wіdе rаngе оf dampness соndіtіоnѕ, rаngіng frоm tеmроrаrу flооdеd bоg, tо bоnе-drу. Aссоrdіng tо thе Sоіl Sсіеnсе Society оf Amеrіса, a dоwnроur gаrdеn іѕ a fеаturе "uѕеd to ѕlоw, соllесt, invade, аnd fіltеr ѕtоrmwаtеr." Rаіn gardens іmрrоvе thе еnvіrоnmеnt, аnd lооk lоvеlу whіlе dоіng іt. Lеаrn hоw tо put rаіn gаrdеnѕ tо wоrk in уоur lаndѕсаре. A downpour garden, аlѕо саllеd a bіоrеtеntіоn cell, is аn alluring nаtіvе plant gаrdеn wіth a ѕресіаl рurроѕе, tо decrease and fіltеr thе ѕtоrmwаtеr еntеrіng оur nеіghbоrhооd wаtеrѕ. It іѕ соnѕtruсtеd аѕ a рlасе tо dіrесt ѕtоrmwаtеr frоm rооfѕ, саrроrtѕ аnd раrkіng lоtѕ, аllоwіng wаtеr to be hеld іn thе рlаntѕ, mulсh аnd ѕоіl.

Eco-gardening how-to book

Let's Build a Rain Garden leads children into Michigan ecology through verse. They get a close up look at the fun creatures and native plants that thrive inside a rain garden while learning the more high-level terms STORMWATER and WATERSHED. The book is written for children, however adults will enjoy taking notes on the basic steps for building a rain garden as well. Be a part of the solution to stop the pollution. It all begins with YOU!

"The Modern Rain Garden is an in-depth account of my personal experience with rain gardens over the past decade. Rain garden theory and methodology can differ greatly from one resource to the next, leaving readers confused over which one to believe, often leading to decision paralysis and a lack of action. This honest and relatable account will empower readers to think critically so they can make their own design and construction decisions with confidence. My mission with The Modern Rain Garden is to demystify the concept and help readers take ownership over their rain gardens."--Page 4 of cover.

In this eloquent plea for compassion and respect for all species, journalist and gardener Nancy Lawson describes why and how to welcome wildlife to our backyards. Through engaging anecdotes and inspired advice, profiles of home gardeners throughout the country, and interviews with scientists and horticulturalists, Lawson applies the broader lessons of ecology to our own outdoor spaces. Detailed chapters address planting for wildlife by choosing native species; providing habitats that shelter baby animals, as well as birds, bees, and butterflies; creating safe zones in the garden; cohabiting with creatures often regarded as pests; letting nature be your garden designer; and encouraging natural processes and evolution in the garden. The Humane Gardener fills a unique niche in describing simple principles for both attracting wildlife and peacefully resolving conflicts with all the creatures that share our world.