Build RAIN GARDENS – It is critical to Atlanta, Georgia

Hey there, home renovators and aspiring builders! Ready to dive into the exciting world of home rehab and new construction? If you're planning to expand your home's footprint with an addition or brand-new build, there's a secret side quest you need to tackle: rainwater runoff management.

In the beautiful (and sometimes rainy) state of Georgia, managing stormwater isn't just a good idea—it's the law! And in Atlanta, our very own DEPARTMENT OF WATERSHED MANAGEMENT is the grand overseer of this crucial task. Think of them as the mighty Ludwig von Koopa, that second-to-last boss before you get to Bowser in Super Mario. You can't skip past this level!

Before you can celebrate your home's transformation with a Certificate of Completion (CC) or Certificate of Occupancy (CO), you'll need the thumbs-up from one of these inspectors. So, gear up, channel your inner Mario, and make sure your rainwater runoff game is strong. After all, even the best home makeover needs a solid foundation—literally!

This next except is taken from Green Infrastructure from the Single Family Residences - City Of Atlanta Stormwater Guidelines. - Land development permanently alters the way in which stormwater flows across a site due to grading compaction, and the installation of impervious cover. In order to mitigate these impacts, the City of Atlanta requires, in accordance with Chapter 74, Article X. Post Development Stormwater Management, that stormwater management measures be utilized when constructing a new home or an addition that is greater than 1,000 square feet of impervious surface (hard surfaces that allow little to no water penetration).

Lately it seems like it rains more as climate change becomes more evident, or maybe the clouds are just heavier. Atlanta experiences significant rainfall, which leads to soil erosion and other negative factors. Building a rain garden at your home helps manage runoff by absorbing and filtering rainwater, reducing the load on stormwater systems, and decreasing the risk of flooding.

Emmanuel A. Baptiste, the Founder of Sterling Park Properties, is a conservationist at heart, which leads his construction thinking. “I spent time pondering why rain gardens are critical to the well-being of our Atlanta communities. It’s a simple concept, as extensive rain flows over surfaces like roads and lawns, the water gathers pollutants like oil, pesticides, and fertilizers. Rain gardens filter these pollutants through soil, rocks, and plant roots, improving the quality of water that eventually reaches local streams and rivers. The whole concept just makes sense and you can add beauty to your outdoor spaces if designed well”.

Most homeowners seek the intervention of rain gardens due to soil erosion from their front or back yards. Rain gardens control soil erosion. This is crucial in Atlanta, where hilly landscapes can exacerbate erosion problems.

There’s nothing more enjoyable than sitting in your yard, watching the kids play, and enjoying the ecosystem that a rain garden provides for butterfly’s and birds, increasing urban biodiversity. These manmade created gardens support native plants and create microhabitats for pollinators, and other beneficial organisms. Emmanuel is quick to point out that “A rain garden is not a water garden. Nor is it a pond or a wetland. Conversely, a rain garden is dry most of the time. It typically holds water only during and following a rainfall event. Because rain gardens will drain within 12-48 hours, they prevent the breeding of mosquitoes.”

These small but super valuable zones of native plants supporting natural filtration methods contribute to the resilience of urban areas by mitigating the impacts of extreme weather events. Rain gardens help buffer against droughts by retaining moisture in the soil and cool urban areas through evapotranspiration, reducing the urban heat island effect.

What Plants Should You Use?

Selecting plants for your rain garden is quite straightforward, based on your style and landscaping options there’s a lot of choices. Numerous native plants, readily available at your local nursery, are perfect for your rain garden. Here are some recommended native plants:

Trees

- Red Maple (Acer rubrum)

- Black Gum (Nyssa sylvatica)

- Willow Oak (Quercus phellos)

- Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum)

- River Birch (Betula nigra)

- Musclewood / American Hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana)

- Green Ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica)

- Sweetbay Magnolia (Magnolia virginiana)

Shrubs

- Virginia Sweetspire (Itea virginica)

- Summersweet Clethra (Clethra alnifolia)

- Common Winterberry/Winterberry Holly (Ilex verticillata)

- Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis)

- American Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana)

- St. John’s Wort (Hypericum)

Perennials, Grasses and Groundcovers

- New England Aster (Aster novae-angliae)

- Broadleaf Uniola/Indian Woodoats (Chasmanthium latifolium)

- Joe-Pye Weed (Eupatorium fistulosum)

- Swamp Sunflower (Helianthus angustifolius)

- Scarlet Rosemallow/Swamp Hibiscus (Hibiscus coccineus)

- Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis)

- Cinnamon Fern (Osmunda cinnamomea)

- Royal Fern (Osmunda regalis)

- Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum)

- Golden Ragwort (Packera aurea)

- Ironweed (Vernonia noveboracensis)

- Yellow Stargrass (Hypoxis spp.)

- Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata)

- Asters (Aster spp)

- Violets (Viola spp)

- Broomsedge (Andropogon virginicus)

- Narrowleaf Dragonhead (Physotegia angustifolia)

- Blackeyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)

- Loosestrife (Lythrum spp)

- Red Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)

- Clubed Begonia (Begonia cucullata)

Overall, rain gardens are a valuable addition to Atlanta's urban infrastructure, promoting environmental sustainability and enhancing the quality of life for its residents. Do you feel compelled to create your own special, unique rain garden in your yard? Don’t hesitate, call us at Sterling Park Properties, and we will assist you with building a rain garden Mother Nature would be proud of.