We all know the saying, "April showers bring May flowers...", but with the endless hills and valleys around our homes here in east Tennessee those showers bring more than water for later flowers. All too often the water that falls from the sky ends up in places we would rather it not go. Be it into our neighbors property causing erosion, or our neighbors water running down on us, it pools near our homes and leaches through the saturated ground into our basements. All along the way picking up oils, chemicals and debris that it carries with it.  Much of that pollution reaches our waterways and can have an incredibly negative effect on the environment as well as the wildlife in our environment, including us. Rain Gardens provide us with a solution to these issues and many others, and we can implement this solution in our own yards and properties. 

The numerous benefits of Rain Gardens extend not only to us, but to our environment and community. They can conserve water along with improving its quality, while removing standing water which can produce mosquitoes.  Vegetation and soils within the garden slow water runoff allowing it to slowly percolate into the ground. This recharges local groundwater supplies while the same process filters the water by removing contaminants carried by storm water runoff, which mimics the natural drainage process.They clean groundwater reserves and are also very beneficial for the local trees and plant life during times of drought, allowing a reserve even during adverse conditions. Rain Gardens not only reduce mosquito breeding, but increase the presence of beneficial insects that eliminate pest insects.  While at the same time creating and ideal habitat for birds, butterflies, frogs, etc...  This minimized storm water runoff also has many benefits by minimizing surface water which is responsible for erosion and loss of good topsoil that is so prevalent in our area. In addition, Rain Gardens dramatically improve the aesthetics of an area compared to conventional infrastructure.

 "Building a Rain Garden (or a couple) in your own yard is probably the easiest and most cost efficient thing you can do to reduce your contribution to stormwater pollution." These gardens are generally small and designed to take advantage of stormwater runoff and rain both in their location and plant selection.  All plants selected must be able to withstand extremes of moisture and concentrations of nutrients, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus, which are often found in high levels in stormwater runoff.  They are generally located in areas with the most surface water, which will serve to slow the water allowing it more time to infiltrate the ground and less opportunity to establish speed and thus erosive power. These gardens can also be aspects that are incorporated into a larger overall landscape, rather than a standalone feature. While these beds look beautiful above ground, below ground there are a number of processes happening which recreate the natural hydrologic action of a healthy forest.  Multiple Rain Gardens over a larger area will have a positive cumulative effect on both the volume and quality of stormwater runoff. General Rain Garden construction includes amending the existing soil with a very porous planting media to a minimum depth of 8" and ideally to a depth of 2' to 3'. The less the existing soil is amended the slower the drainage process will be and thus the plants chosen will need to be well adapted to prolonged periods of wetness. In addition, smaller and healthier plants seem to have much more success surviving in these extreme conditions by allowing the plant to adapt to the conditions as it grows. Plants with deep fibrous root systems tend to thrive better, while providing a maximum benefit of cleaning and filtration to the environment. Native plants, or at least native cultivars, seem to be best suited to these conditions. Though generally any bog plants that are non-invasive would make great additions to your very own Rain Garden. Some annuals can be wonderful to add seasonal bursts of color to the garden as well. These Rain Gardens are greatly beneficial to our environment, both in their function and their aesthetic, making them an ideal addition to any landscape.  So pay attention to any areas with erosion or standing water on your property and you may have an ideal location for a Rain Garden in your own landscape this year.

To say we are proud of the development of hardscape craftsman, Rommel Hightower, would certainly be an understatement. A love for football and art were defining elements of Rommel's youth. After a star studded career in youth sports and while attending Lenoir City High School, the remarkable athlete was recruited to Maryville College and not only started early in his career but left the school as the career leader in rushing yards and touchdowns.

 
 Initially an art major following his passion for expression, he changed his major to business management with a minor in accounting. Seeking stability and an opportunity to express his artistic talents he came to Earthadelic eager to work hard and learn a craft. Sometimes fate delivers a home run.  Rommel has had the extraordinary opportunity to apprentice under one of the best hardscape stone masons in the south, our hardscape field manager Oscar Andrade. Oscar quickly saw the potential and passion for the work Rommel exhibited and took him under his wing. As they say, the rest was history.

Rommel is now in great demand in crafting one of a kind stone and masonry environments. He particularly likes stone work.  "Stone work is especially artsy" he says. "Every stone is important.  No two people would place the stone in exactly the same way.  My mind, my creativity is engage with each stone." When asked what he has enjoyed most about developing his craft he was quick with his response, "the opportunity to work and learn from Oscar and the look on our customers' faces when they first see our work. I love that."