Robbinsdale Rain Gardens are Environmental and Ornamental Features
Flowers have a way of adding color and beauty to any spot they’re planted.
And for the city of Robbinsdale, there’s a lot of beauty to behold.
Over the last several years, the city has been building rain gardens and now manages more than a dozen.
Flowers growing in a Robbinsdale rain garden.
Jenna Wolf, Robbinsdale Water Resources Specialist, helps maintain the city’s rain gardens.
She’ll tell you they are more than just for looks.
“A rain garden is a depression in the ground and you have plants there,” said Wolf. “You are directing storm runoff over to that rain garden or planted area.”
Rain gardens can collect chemicals from roads and trash, helping cleaner water enter storm water systems that eventually flow into lakes and streams.
“This is a kind of pre-treatment so that it can settle out sediment. It can filter out any of the excess nutrients,” said Wolf.
The city is encouraging residents to join its efforts.
“The forester and I are more than happy to come out and evaluate places that if residents are curious if their spot would be a good place for a rain garden or maybe a pollinator area,” said Wolf.
While a rain garden is low maintenance, it’s not zero maintenance. It will likely need watering and weeding.
“Clear it out every spring. It’s a great work out,” said Wolf.
A little bit of work that will go a long way in protecting the environment and even providing a habitat for pollinators.
Wolf recommends checking out bluethumb.org to learn more about rain gardens and how you can apply for a grant.
