Choosing a Site for a Rain Garden
A good rain garden starts with watching where water already goes. After a steady rain, note the low spots where runoff from the roof, drive or path collects and lingers; a shallow basin placed there can intercept it before it reaches drains or neighbouring ground. Keep the basin a sensible distance from house foundations, wells and septic systems, and avoid spots where water stands for days, since the garden should drain between storms. Test the soil by digging a small hole, filling it with water and watching how quickly it empties: very slow drainage suggests the spot may suit a different location or design, while freely draining soil suits a simpler design.