THE POWER OF WATER: Rainwater - It Can Heal And Destroy
- k-england
- Feb 28
- 2 min read
By Debby Dunn, for Let’s Talk Plants! March 2025.
Rainwater - It Can Heal and Destroy
Have you ever noticed how bright and happy your garden looks after a generous rain event? Plants drink up Mother Nature’s elixir and cheer up ten times more than some of us react to our morning cup of coffee. But, rainwater can also erode your slope over time, and torrential rain can take down your hillside in a day. That’s the Power of Water!
The best line of defense against stormwater damage on a slope, or even on level ground, is soil stabilization. Just a few modifications to your landscape can make a big difference:
1. Plant deep-rooted trees, shrubs and grasses that establish strong root systems. Install your plants in a manner so that once they mature, they will be lush and full, but still in a way that you will still be able to easily maintain them.
For specific ideas, check out the Happy 100 plant list at https://www.sdcwa.org/your-water/conservation/resources/ . This list allows you to search for key words like “slope” or “bank”.
2. Mulch the exposed soil on the slope with an organic mulch about 2” to 4” thick. This will reduce surface runoff and enhance the soil moisture retention.
For a list of places that provide mulch and compost in San Diego, visit https://www.sdcwa.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Mulch-Compost-Suppliers-SDCWA-2024.p
3. If your slope is extremely steep, terracing, waddles or logs may be needed. There are a variety of ways and looks to terrace a slope, some more costly than others. Logs can come from your own yard or you can get them from others – just be careful of diseased plants.
4. A meandering swale or dry stream bed is a productive way to help guide the water slowly down the slope in a manner that will encourage infiltration, allowing rainwater to percolate into the soil. Swales also swell on flat ground near gutters to help bring rainwater away from the house and into the soil. Keeping rainwater on your property is good for your garden and helps reduce stormwater pollution.
5. Those without grass, plant more plants! - Plants that grow tall and wide, plants that bloom and invite pollinators, and plants that are meant to be here - specifically natives.
For a list of 50 plants to choose from (in a pretty flyer format), visit https://www.sdcwa.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/nifty50_6_16sm.pdf
For a list of 100 plants to choose from (in an excel format you can sort 12 different ways), visit https://www.sdcwa.org/your-water/conservation/resources/
For a list of San Diego plant nurseries, please visit: https://www.sdcwa.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Plant-Nurseries-in-San-Diego-SDCWA-2024.pdf
Share these easy tips with your friends, family and especially the neighbors that live above you.
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