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news@wbcowqel.com
Rain gardens are a great addition to your home, adding both curb appeal and function to your landscape. They combine the beauty of multiple blooms and colors with an added benefit of improving water quality by reducing and filtering runoff.
Rain gardens function much like a rain barrel, storing and conserving rain water that would otherwise be lost to runoff for alternative use. These shallow, landscaped depressions store rainwater for a 24- to 36-hour period, allowing it to soak into the ground. During this infiltration period, nutrients are absorbed by the plant roots and contaminants such as oils and metals are filtered by the soil thus improving water quality.
The Crawford Soil and Water Conservation District provides technical assistance, including garden sizing, design information and plant types, to interested homeowners. If you are a Bucyrus City homeowner you can apply for a $500 grant to install a rain garden on your property. For more information, contact the Crawford Soil & Water Conservation District at 419-562-8280 or visit our website at www.crawfordswcd.org.