Does your yard have a wet area where water run-off or rain from downspouts gathers?

This water can carry phosphorus and sediment into local streams and storm drains and has become a problem in some communities.

Phosphorous buildup in lakes and streams feeds algae, depriving resident fish of oxygen. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, “Sediment entering stormwater degrades the quality of water for drinking, wildlife and the land surrounding streams.”

The alternative to allowing run-off from your property to potentially pollute our fresh water is to create a bioretention cell or rain garden.

A rain garden, an attractive solution to a problem area, can filter run-off and rain water of potential pollutants and attract native wildlife.

Rain gardens are simple to construct — as easy as digging out a depression in the wet area about 12 to 24 inches deep, adding a layer of small stone and then adding a layer of quality soil and compost mix.

Leave a 6-inch depression or ponding area to catch and hold the rain water.

When building your rain garden be sure to keep it 10 feet from structure foundations, 25 feet from a septic system drain field and 25 feet from a well head. Always check first to determine where power lines are buried.

Add plants according to their sun, shade and water requirements.

Set plants that need the most water in the center, then work out to the edges until all of your plants are placed. Spread a layer of coarse mulch over your rain garden and line the run-off area with rocks to prevent erosion.

Native plants are good choices for rain gardens; they are adapted to our climate and require less care.

For sunny areas, select black-eyed Susan, New England aster, marsh milkweed, blazing star and Joe Pye weed.

For an area with partial shade choose bee balm, obedient plant, blue flag iris and foamflower.

For rain gardens in the shade, opt for blue lobelia, cardinal flower, rose turtlehead, Jack-in-the-pulpit, bugbane and trout lily. Ferns also thrive in rain gardens: maidenhair, interrupted, glade and cinnamon fern are good choices.

Consider shrubs if you have the space.

Low- and high-bush blueberry, great rhododendron, northern spicebush, arrow-wood viburnum, and red twig dogwood are good possibilities.

If your rain garden is large enough to allow small trees, witch hazel and winterberry holly will add spring and winter interest.

The water that runs into your garden will keep the plants watered.

The plant roots, earthworms and other burrowing insects create tunnels to help the water infiltrate the soil. Any remaining water will be filtered by the plants and stone before it runs off into the streams and storm drains.

A rain garden provides a habitat for wildlife, birds and butterflies, and is especially helpful to these creatures in areas where natural habitats have been reduced or destroyed.

Some towns are encouraging homeowners to build these gardens to improve water quality and add value to their properties.

What a great way to turn a hard-to-care-for area in your yard into an asset, help the environment and have a beautiful low maintenance garden!

If you have questions about establishing a rain garden and which plants to use, call The Greenline, the Master Gardeners' telephone hot line at 724-287-4761, Ext. 229.