Stormwater Food Garden
What began as a recurring drainage problem became the foundation for a resilient, living system.
This front yard regularly flooded during heavy storms, sending water toward the home and creating ongoing stress during the rainy season. Through a careful diagnosis of the site, we designed and installed an edible rain garden that slows, absorbs, and redirects stormwater while supporting a diverse planting of low-maintenance edible and pollinator-friendly plants.
Roof runoff is now guided into the garden, where water is held, filtered, and shared with deep-rooted plants rather than pooling at the foundation. The result is a landscape that quietly manages water while appearing indistinguishable from an ornamental garden. Edible flowers, textured foliage, and seasonal change create visual interest throughout the year, while the underlying system grows stronger with time.
As the garden matures, it continues to fill in and deepen, transforming a former liability into a functional, calming, and productive landscape. This project is a clear example of how ecological challenges can be met with solutions that are both practical and beautiful.
“I wanted to do something about the grass, and I also wanted to do something about the rain problem flooding my basement. The idea of having plants that I can eat, and that attract bees, felt perfect. Now when it rains heavily, I feel relaxed instead of worried. Before, I used to joke that I might need to build an ark.”
— Janice Kataoka
