Rain Gardens

One way Gardens of Babylon can help with erosion and water flow on a property is by installing a customized rain garden which captures rainwater and guides it toward planned drainage areas.

A rain garden is a shallow constructed depression area that uses a carefully planned mixture of soil, native plants, and amendments to capture rainwater before it enters the nearest storm drain, creek, or river carrying pollutants from surrounding areas. Particularly suited plants and constructed soil areas receive runoff from hard surfaces, like a roof or driveway, and facilitate slower infiltration into the ground.

After a rain garden area is designed, soil is loosened, amended, and divided into zones so that native plants suited to the moisture level of each zone will gradually filter and absorb rainwater. Specific areas of soil may be built up or hollowed out to guide water absorption in the best way.

A rain garden can add beauty to a garden area, serve as an environmental learning demonstration for children and adults, and save water by providing its own constant source of healthy rainwater for the plants in the rain garden.

Gardens of Babylon is working with local residents, business owners, Cumberland River Compact’s Project Blue Streams, and the Harpeth River Watershed Association to help the community jump start its local water quality initiatives through the use of well-planned rain gardens.