Native Edge Landscape is committed to being environmentally responsible by only using the most sustainable practices. Rain gardens are one of the best examples I have seen of this in my time here at Native Edge. The juxtaposition of clay soils and limestone bedrock here in Austin naturally sheds stormwater into the city’s drainage system and aquifers. A rain garden is a depression that consists of a variety of layered soils and gravel designed to collect stormwater runoff, allowing it to be quickly absorbed into the soil. This unique feature is used to solve a variety of problems created by common construction techniques, such as standing water and erosion.Lead Designer Rodney Stoutenger was able to solve one such issue with the incorporation of a rain garden into the space. “The HOA wouldn’t allow gutters at this property, which lead to the erosion of the lawn beneath the front porch,” said Rodney. “We were able to install a rain garden to collect the water and add a nice feature to the home.”As you can see, a rain garden is hardly distinguishable from a traditional garden bed. Native Edge works hard to seamlessly blend this feature into your landscape. Our commitment to using exclusively native plants perfectly aligns with the functionality of rain gardens, which require plants that can handle weather extremes. Their fibrous root systems help filter chemicals such as pesticides out of local groundwater.Rain gardens, while highly beneficial, are not applicable to every yard. “It is not necessary unless you already have areas of pooling or erosion,” noted Rodney. “We determine who could benefit from a rain garden on a site to site basis.”In one such example, Designer Jill Zimmerman was faced with the task of managing pooling water in a customer’s yard. “The builder constructed the sidewalk in such a way that they were required to walk through a puddle any time they went to and from their detached garage.”“Rather than moving the water, which would have created problems for their neighbors, I designed a bridge over a rain garden to transform the issue into a nice feature of their yard,” said Jill.Our Designers work hard to meld landscape aesthetics and environmental sustainability. “The many different benefits of a rain garden align what we do here at Native Edge,” Rodney concluded. “You are benefiting not only your immediate space, but also your community and your neighborhood.”The City of Austin is currently under Conservation Water Restrictions. By adding features such as rain gardens to your yard you may be eligible for rebate. If you think that a rain garden would benefit your space, please contact us to set up a Consultation!
As you can see, a rain garden is hardly distinguishable from a traditional garden bed. Native Edge works hard to seamlessly blend this feature into your landscape. Our commitment to using exclusively native plants perfectly aligns with the functionality of rain gardens, which require plants that can handle weather extremes. Their fibrous root systems help filter chemicals such as pesticides out of local groundwater.Rain gardens, while highly beneficial, are not applicable to every yard. “It is not necessary unless you already have areas of pooling or erosion,” noted Rodney. “We determine who could benefit from a rain garden on a site to site basis.”In one such example, Designer Jill Zimmerman was faced with the task of managing pooling water in a customer’s yard. “The builder constructed the sidewalk in such a way that they were required to walk through a puddle any time they went to and from their detached garage.”
“Rather than moving the water, which would have created problems for their neighbors, I designed a bridge over a rain garden to transform the issue into a nice feature of their yard,” said Jill.Our Designers work hard to meld landscape aesthetics and environmental sustainability. “The many different benefits of a rain garden align what we do here at Native Edge,” Rodney concluded. “You are benefiting not only your immediate space, but also your community and your neighborhood.”The City of Austin is currently under Conservation Water Restrictions. By adding features such as rain gardens to your yard you may be eligible for rebate. If you think that a rain garden would benefit your space, please contact us to set up a Consultation!