Rain is a valuable commodity to Floridians, as it is the main water source to the Florida aquifer system, aka the source of our drinking water. Surprisingly, one inch of rain produces 5,984 gallons of water on a standard sized Cape Coral lot. That’s equivalent to the amount of water that can fill a 40-gallon bath tub about 150 times. The rain that runs off our landscape, called stormwater, adds much needed water to our surface water, our ground water and ultimately our aquifer.

Sounds great! Right? That is, until we explore the quality of that stormwater. Most stormwater is relatively “clean.” However, excessive use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides on our lawns and gardens impact the quality of the stormwater as it flows untreated into our canals, the Caloosahatchee River and the Gulf of Mexico. Additionally, stormwater that runs directly off our hard surfaces without the benefit of being filtered through our soil contains high amounts of pollutants in the form of debris, car grease, oils, pet waste, as well as, fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides. According to the EPA, this polluted stormwater, known as nonpoint source pollution, is considered the greatest threat to the quality of Florida’s aquifer. Polluted stormwater run-off is a great concern for human health. It is also a destroyer of aquatic life, threatening tourism, fishing industries and the enjoyment of our own backyards.

As homeowners, we can make a difference! Not only can we commit to limiting our use of hard chemicals when it comes to fertilizing, pest control and weeds, but we can do our part to “Slow the Flow” of stormwater run-off by creating a beautiful rain garden. Rain gardens collect stormwater allowing it to percolate through our soil giving it an opportunity to filter out pollutants. In fact, rain gardens are known to filter 30% more stormwater than a lawn. In addition, redirecting stormwater to a rain garden reduces flooding in our neighborhoods.

A rain garden is constructed by taking advantage of a natural depression in our landscape and cultivating it as a garden filled with native plants that love “wet feet” and tolerate our dry season. Some good choices may include blue flag iris, swamp sunflower, milkweed, wax myrtle and a variety of native grasses such as muhly grass and Fakahatchee grass.

When designing your rain garden, keep in mind that the purpose is to collect rain water, redirect it from curbside storm drains and give it time to percolate through the soil. The collection site, then, is best located at least 10 feet from the foundation of your home. A typical-sized rain garden is an 8 by 10-foot area with a depth of 4 to 8 inches, but can be larger or smaller based on your site.

Specific design features as well as plant suggestions can be found at the UF/IFAS website or join the Lee County Master Gardeners at our next Rain Garden Class in October; date and time to be announced on Eventbrite.

By creating a rain garden, you will be adding a tropical oasis to your landscape that provides a resting place for butterflies and migrating birds. Your rain garden will add value to your Florida Friendly yard with its beautiful plantings and visiting wildlife while reducing water pollution, and feeding our aquifer with healthy, filtered water.

Happy gardening stay Florida Friendly!

Deborah Haggett is a member of the Garden Club of Cape Coral and a Lee County Master Gardener Volunteer

https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/design/types-of-gardens/rain-gardens.html

https://fl.water.usgs.gov/floridan/intro.html

https://water.usgs.gov/edu/activity-howmuchrain.html

https://conference.ifas.ufl.edu/gardener10/Presentations10/Ballroom%20B/Tuesday/0115%20M%20D

Abreu.pdf