TWP LAKE. - Sherry Smith is ready to sell her house.
Immediately after moving into his new home four years ago, flooding became a major problem in his backyard. As a result of the rains, most corners of his garden were submerged under water for five to seven days, attracting mosquitoes and creating uncomfortable conditions.
"I think I have a septic problem," the 52-year-old said. "I literally told them to go out and clean my drains in the house, I emptied the septic tank."
Smith was considering selling her new home when she contacted the Stark County Soil and Water Conservation District in Massillon in 2022. That's when she was introduced to the rain garden concept.
Rain gardens are built into depressions in the landscape to collect rainwater and allow it to percolate into the ground. It also has environmental benefits, including filtering pollutants from entering nearby waterways and providing a habitat for bees and monarch butterflies. This is not a new concept, but it has become popular in recent years for stormwater management.
A year later, Smith was able to control the flooding on his property.
Why did Sherry Smith install a rain garden?
Rome Marinelli, a drainage specialist with the Soil and Water Conservation District, suggests that a rain garden could help with flooding problems on Smith's property.
Marinelli says many homeowners use gray infrastructure—pipes, gutters, or gutters—to manage stormwater. Installing pipelines can help homeowners reduce flooding on their land, but it diverts water downstream. This means that the water ends up on other people's property.
"It can throw water downstream as long as it follows gravity and natural flow, but the pipes can't absorb the water," he said, noting that several homeowners chose to install pipes in gutters facing the highway. his house is gone. street flooding.
According to the Three Rivers Rain Garden Alliance, rain garden installations typically cost $3 to $5 per square foot when installed by the owner, and $10 to $15 per square foot or more if landscapers are used. : Plants are usually the most expensive item.
Smith had never heard of a rain garden before. She did some research and after learning about the benefits of a rain garden, she decided to install one in her backyard. Smith loved gardening, but knew the project would be a big task considering the many floods in her backyard. He began to look at the landscape. It took him a long time to find someone who knew how to build a rain garden.
Eventually, Smith contacted Jscapes, a landscaping company in northern Cantonese who agreed to work on the project. Jscapes owners Jonah and Noah Waxer say they love working on unique projects and take the time to do their research before getting started.
Smith's Garden is about 40 meters long and has a depression four meters deep. It took them about two weeks to dig and fill the garden, they said.
"With the current process, it's kind of unique because we put all these different types of ingredients in and then mix them together," says Jonah Waxer. "So we have to use the machine and we have to put the sand in the gravel and mix everything really well and then start filling it."
Gina Brendle, a horticulturist at Jscapes, says plants in the garden include bee balm, butterfly grass, winter berries, and ornamental grasses. The plant does well in humid conditions, he says.
Smith says the rain garden has made a world of difference in her backyard. Sometimes it floods after storms, but the water recedes in less than a day. She loves being in the garden, which brings butterflies, bees, and dragonflies to her property. He spends several hours outdoors most days watering and weeding.
Jonah Waxer says that the first few months of storage are the most important because that's when the roots take root.
"After that, maintenance is essential, but it depends on daily watering and constant presence," he says.
Marinelli said he was surprised by the results. He points out that large and small rain gardens can affect the environment they occupy.
"It's just one of those little things that can go a long way, from helping the environment to helping downstream neighbors," he said.
Stark County Soil and Water Conservation District offers rain garden classes
The Soil and Water Conservation District is conducting a one-semester Master Rain Gardener certification course. Weekly courses run for six weeks in spring and fall. For $25 per person, anyone can learn how to design and build a rain garden.
Registration for the next district session is closing, but those wishing to join the waitlist will be notified when it opens.
Contact Paige at 330-580-8577, pmbennett@gannett.com or on Twitter @paigembenn.
This article originally appeared on The Repository. Sherry Smith of Lake Township installed a rain garden to help with flooding
