Bioswales vs Rain Gardens
How bioswales and rain gardens differ — catch-and-soak versus convey-and-soak — where each fits, a side-by-side comparison table, and how to choose.
Category
Rain Gardens & Stormwater
Not all water has to be piped off the property. This section covers rain gardens, vegetated swales and stormwater-friendly landscaping that slow, spread and soak in runoff — an approach that can complement drainage while easing pressure on the yard and public systems.
Guides · Page 2 of 3
Rain Gardens & Stormwater articles
Rainwater Harvesting Basics
A homeowner's introduction to rainwater harvesting, from rain barrels to cisterns, covering benefits, limits, overflow planning, and why local rules vary.
Rain Garden vs French Drain
A rain garden soaks surface runoff into a planted basin; a French drain carries subsurface water away. Here is how they differ and how to choose.
Do Rain Gardens Breed Mosquitoes?
A working rain garden drains too fast to breed mosquitoes. If yours holds water for days, the drainage is the real problem to fix. Here is how.
Rain Garden Overflow and Big Storms
Big storms will fill a rain garden, so it needs a designed overflow. Here is how to build a spillway that sends excess water safely away from the house.
Can You Build a Rain Garden in Clay Soil?
Clay soil drains slowly and fights a rain garden's purpose. Here is how to amend, resize, or choose another tool — and when heavy clay is a no-go.
Connecting a Downspout to a Rain Garden
Route roof runoff into a rain garden with a swale, rock channel, or buried pipe. Here is how to connect the downspout, place the inlet, and set the overflow.
Are Rain Gardens Worth It?
When a rain garden pays off, when it doesn't, and how to weigh the benefits against the digging before you commit a weekend to it.
Rain Garden Ideas for Small Yards
Compact rain garden designs for tight lots — corner basins, narrow swales, and single-downspout catchers — sized to runoff and always with an overflow.