June is the beginning of our rainy season. This is the time of year when I am always focused on ways to harvest the abundance of rain that we will be receiving for the next few months. Whether it is collecting it in a rain barrel, installing a rain garden, or even just making sure it seeps down into the soil to recharge the aquifer, I want less of it to run off. Stormwater runoff compounds our water issues here in Florida, including the imbalance created in the lagoon by the influx of fresh water.
Sometimes, just enough rain falls to make the humidity more oppressive, but not to relieve the thirst of the landscape. A few years ago, I placed two rain barrels on the western side of my house. Neither of them is connected. Next weekend, we will elevate them and finally connect them to the new guttering we installed the first week of April. This will capture an average of about 20,372 gallons of rainfall annually from 600 square feet of roof.
Each month, I will drop a mosquito treatment into the barrels. This water will be used for irrigation to support the fruit trees through the sweltering summer months. Many of my clients use their rainwater to provide drip in their seasonal flower beds.
Most of the ornamentals in my landscape do not receive any additional watering support. They are perennials that have been weened off watering support. This hardship has encouraged them to have amazing root systems that cast a very wide net in the soil. They help my landscape absorb as much water as possible during the rainy season.
Besides breaking the impact of the rain, the water often trails slowly down the body of the plant or drips more gently onto the soil. Either descent promotes infiltration of the water into the soil. The mulch, plant parts, and soil collude to delay the water’s journey, reducing runoff. Water taking the scenic route helps keep my landscape beautiful and the lagoon healthy.
Last month I taught a class on rain gardening. It is a beautiful way to manage water in the Florida landscape. Though I would not recommend that anyone try to establish a rain garden right now, it is a great time to observe your landscape for the best area to put one. The space you are looking for should be a low-traffic area with a view you can enhance. Many plants suitable for a rain garden are colorful and attractive to wildlife.
Areas that retain water are not good options for rain gardens, as the idea is for the water to seep slowly into the soil. Most homes have a gentle slope from the foundation, but if your footing is compromised by the steepness, you should engage a professional to install your rain garden. If you contact me or one of our Master Gardener volunteers, we can help you develop a plan with a plant palette for your rain garden.
As summer kicks into high gear and July turns up the heat, ensuring that your landscape can efficiently absorb and redirect rainwater is more important than ever. Whether it’s a refreshing summer shower or a heavy downpour, a well-prepared yard keeps excess water in check while supporting a thriving landscape.
So, as the season unfolds, stay cool, stay hydrated, and don’t forget to have your switchel ready for the ride ahead.
Nickie Munroe is an environmental horticulture agent with the University of Florida’s IFAS Indian River County Extension.
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