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Ultimately, it’s important to research which of these steps makes the most sense for you. This reduces soil erosion and runoff while the plants absorb and use the excess water. These terraces will slow the flow of water down a steep slope. You can create tiered retaining walls with stone and plant various shrubs, grasses, and perennials that require a lot of water. Steep slopes can, however, be a good thing for stormwater absorption. If your property slopes toward any buildings, you will want to divert that water. Keep in mind the slope of the land while designing your stormwater-friendly landscape. Mark where you want to place the path, dig two to three inches deep, then layer in a hard stone pack on the bottom and some gravel or crushed stone on top. Try digging your own gravel path to create an attractive, environmental landscaping feature. Plus, they’re great options for climates where grass doesn’t grow easily.Ĭreating gravel or stone beds can slow runoff, filter water, and aid in the reabsorption of stormwater. These beds are often used in swales, and they’re popular because they have a natural look. Gravel areas and stone beds provide a porous area that stormwater can quickly filter through to be absorbed into the soil below. The next time you pave your driveway or work on your patio, do some research to help you decide if this option makes sense for your climate. While it’s a more expensive step than gardening, it’s also highly impactful for your community. Use permeable pavers in your hardscaping to contribute to a long-term solution for stormwater runoff. The stormwater flows through the paver into the soil, rather than running off into the street. They offer a way to manage stormwater with your driveway, patio, and other hard surfaces. What’s a homeowner to do? Enter permeable pavers. This becomes a crisis when parking lots, driveways, and sidewalks prevent natural water absorption. In fact, one urban block produces five times the runoff that a forested area would. Residential communities in rainy regions often struggle to control the environmental effects of runoff. Photo: USEPA Environmental-Protection-Agency – Rain Garden, Public Domain Hardscape With Permeable Pavers Rain gardens catch stormwater for plants so it doesn’t run off into drains. You’ll soon have a sustainable rain garden with just a little care and maintenance.
#Landscaping rocks that absorb water professional
If you do not have a low-lying area, you can dig one yourself or hire a professional landscaper.
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Some examples are daylilies, bee balm, and butterfly weed. Guests may not even realize your rain gardens serve an environmental purpose - making this solution a win-win for any homeowner.įirst, identify a low-lying area and grow a mixture of plants that require a lot of water. Rain gardens are a great option if a portion of your yard lies lower than the rest and often experiences pooling of stormwater. It may, however, be best to contact a landscaper if you’re uncertain about the process. Mark your planned berm with a garden hose, dig around the outline, and fill it in with absorbent gravel, clay soil, and topsoil. You can build your own berm with some planning and a bit of elbow grease. By combining berms and swales, water can be absorbed in your yard or easily flow through to a catchment designed to allow evaporation while providing a source of water for your plants. They are often accompanied by a swale, which is an area of land that operates as a shallow vegetative gutter. Berms are slightly raised areas of land that can help change the direction the water flows. If the water naturally flows towards a building, you need to redirect it away from the foundation.Ī berm is an excellent solution to this problem. Determine where the water currently flows on the property and decide if that location needs to be diverted. Create Berms and Swalesįirst, consider the lay of your land. There are many ways you can handle stormwater while maintaining an environmentally friendly and attractive landscape. Seasonal storms do not have to ruin your lush landscaping and can be naturally filtered to avoid harmful runoff. Anything over this amount may result in fines. There are even some areas where legislation limits impermeable surfaces on a property. Stormwater runoff also causes harm to ecosystems, as it often contains pesticides and fertilizers. Or large amounts of water can pool, causing a mud-filled mess. Yes, now, before the heavy run-off that begins the growing season.Įvery year, melting snow piles and seasonal rain showers wreak havoc on your landscape.