GreenUP works with the City of Peterborough to deliver the Rain Garden Subsidy program. Two of these gardens were installed by Johnston’s Greenhouse and Landscaping in 2024. Johnston’s also cares for the rain garden at Spa Euphoria downtown. GreenUP appreciates the leadership of Johnston’s in working to bring sustainable solutions into their business model.
Sustainable landscaping should be more than a trend — it should be an essential part of a community’s future. One way to support this vision is to implement permeable solutions into landscaping projects.
Much outdoor space around homes and businesses are dedicated to paths, patios, and driveways.
Impermeable surfaces can overwhelm stormwater systems due to flooding, absorb and retain heat leading to higher temperatures in urban areas, and carry pollutants (such as oil) into nearby water sources — negatively affecting the health of humans and wildlife alike.
Using options such as rain gardens and permeable pavement help reduce stormwater runoff and promote a healthy ecosystem.
A rain garden is a specialized garden designed to capture and absorb stormwater runoff from surfaces like roofs, driveways, and sidewalks. Directing water into a bowl-shaped rain garden filled with native plants mitigates flooding, which helps reduce strain on a city’s stormwater system and supports local biodiversity with native plant species that attract local pollinators. Rain gardens can be designed to suit any yard size and require minimal maintenance.
While rain gardens are a fantastic choice for managing stormwater onsite, permeable pavement is on the rise as a viable option. Permeable pavement products can offer a low-maintenance durable solution for driveways, walkways, and patios.
Unlike traditional concrete or asphalt, permeable pavement technology allows stormwater to flow directly through the “hard” surface and into the soil, thereby reducing the amount of runoff that reaches the stormwater system.
There are several options when it comes to permeable pavement. Some of the more popular choices include Ecoraster, Permeable Pavers, and a new medium called Purepave.
The Ecoraster system is made up of a highly durable open cell grid made from 100 per cent recycled plastic that can be filled with concrete blocks, gravel, or planted soil. The open cell grid design decreases fill compaction and keeps channels open for water to soak through.
Ecoraster is a simple eco-friendly solution well suited for high-traffic or utilitarian areas, such as the boulevard outside of the GreenUP office in downtown Peterborough.
Permeable Pavers are specialty blocks designed with spaces that allow stormwater to flow through and infiltrate the subsoil below.
Concrete pavers come in many shapes, and can be laid in many different configurations, but actual permeability depends on factors like base material, joint width, and joint fill type.
With proper installation and maintenance, permeable concrete pavers can be a long-lasting aesthetic option.
Purepave is designed with a unique aggregate mixture and binder that create tiny consistent gaps that allow rainwater to pass through, reducing runoff and replenishing local groundwater. This also helps prevent puddling and ice buildup, making it a safer choice throughout the year.
Though more costly up-front, Purepave is long-lasting and resistant to cracking or shifting.
Purepave is available for purchase and installation through Johnston’s and Horlings.
Whether you are looking to add a rain garden or try permeable pavement, there are numerous ways to incorporate sustainability into landscape design.
Embracing permeable solutions for hardscaping needs can help reduce flooding, improve water quality, and foster a healthier environment for future generations.
Let’s build a greener future, one permeable project at a time.
To learn more about Johnston’s Greenhouse and Landscaping, visit johnstonsgreenhouse.com. For more information about Horlings Garden Centre & Landscape Design, visit www.horlingsgardencentre.com.
GreenUP works with the City of Peterborough to deliver the Rain Garden Subsidy program. Visit greenup.on.ca/rain-garden-subsidy-program to check out garden templates and get in touch if you’d like to install your own rain garden this spring.
