Raingardens
In partnership with Melbourne Water, Council is encouraging residents to install a raingarden to improve their garden, reduce water usage and improve stormwater entering our waterways.
Drain pipes that capture rainwater from your roof normally go directly to the stormwater drain without treatment. Instead, raingardens capture this rainwater or stormwater from hard surfaces such as roofs and filter it through layers of sandy soil and gravel, combined with plants, shrubs and grasses.
The layers in the raingarden help to clean and slow the rate of stormwater runoff from homes, which in turn protect the animals, plants and fish that rely on healthy waterways for their survival.
Establishing a raingarden for your home is a long-term way to assist the health of our local waterways and make a serious difference to the local environment.
Raingardens have several benefits, including:
- creating wildlife habitat
- making an attractive landscaping feature in your garden
- filtering stormwater and removing common pollutants before it enters the stormwater drains
- slowing the rate of stormwater entering our rivers and creeks after heavy rain
- low maintenance and water saving, especially if planted with native or indigenous drought tolerant plants.
There are many different types of raingardens. Melbourne Water has great advice on different types of raingardens and tips for building one at home.
Plants suitable for your raingarden are available from local nurseries. Indigenous drought-tolerant plants are the best option for a raingarden as they are already adapted to the specific weather conditions found in your area. Visit our Frankston Indigenous Nursery page for inspiration.
