Establishing and Maintaining a Rain Garden Kara Naramore Agrecol Corporation 2009 Plant Dane! Cost-Share Program Workshop presented by Agrecol, Graham-Martin Foundation and myfairlakes.com February 28 th, 2009
Dedicated to the preservation and restoration of natural ecosystems and the promotion of environmental education. Since 2005, GMF has funded over two hundred and twenty educational projects including prairie restorations and rain gardens for Homeowners Schools Non-profits Neighborhood associations Lake and watershed associations Conservation clubs Faith centers
Warner Park Rain Garden Project j -Madison, WI
Pewaukee Public Library Installed 2006
Why plant a Rain Garden? *Infiltrate stormwater and trap pollutants *Reduce water pollution *Create habitat *Reduce flooding *Aesthetically pleasing *Low Maintenance *Educational
Infiltrate Stormwater and Trap Pollutants + =
Blue-Green Algae www.algae.info/bgreenbloom.jpg www.itaska.ca/blue Green Algae criticalmiami.com/index.php?c=nature
http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/06/29/blue-green-algae-toxic-bloom-can-kill-your-dog/ www.airation.com/.../fish_kill.jpg www.pondsolutions.com/images/pond-algae3.jpg blog.oregonlive.com/.../07/large_algaeweb.jpg
Steps to building your Rain Garden Locate potential site Determine the size of the garden Sketch a plan Pick out your plants Construct the garden Plant the garden Weed and Water as needed Enjoy! jy
Determining where to place your Rain Garden Consider the following things when determining where to place your Rain Garden *Are there area(s) in your yard where there is standing water after rainfall? *Where does the water from your roof flow? *Will you be able to easily direct water flow into your Rain Garden? *Do you want to be able to see the garden out your window? Where to NOT place your Rain Garden *Within 10 feet of your foundation *Over a septic system or sewer lateral
Native plants have very long and extensive root systems!
How big do I make my Rain Garden? Type of Soil Size of Rain Garden as % of Roof Area Infiltration Rate, in/hr Sandy 20% (5:1) 0.4 Silt Loam 30% (3:1) 0.2 Clay 60% (2:1) 005 0.05 Helpful tool: http://www.jcswcd.org/rainwater_audit/rain-audit.html (Johnson Co. Soil & Water Conservation District)
Sketch a Plan elkhorn.unl.edu/.../build/graphics/g1758-2.jpg
UW Extension How to Manual for Homeowners http://learningstore.uwex.edu/pdf/gwq037.pdf
Close to downspout Far from downspout
Methods to direct water Curb Cuts
Downspout textension n
Pipes
Swale Fed
Picking out your plants Consider the following Height Bloom time Color Moisture/Drought tolerance What species you want to attract/not attract www.wunderground.com/.../n/nita/238.jpg www.fs.fed.us/.../male_karner_blue_lg.jpg pro.corbis.com
Call before you dig! Besure you have contacted Diggers Hotline to check for any utilities that may be present on your property CALL 811 or (800) 242 8511 (414) 259 1181 (877) 500 9592 (emergency only) http://www.diggershotline.com/ p// /
Site Prep Strip Sod/Remove any existing vegetation
Site StePrep Rototill and Compost
Level and Shape Site Prep
Mulching and amendments
Planting
Lay out your plants
Maintenance a Water for the first few weeks Hand Weed Hand Hoe Spot herbicide applications Re apply mulch layer as needed Cut and remove dead plant material in spring
Street Edges
Parking Lot Edges
Roof Discharge
Backyard
Side Yard
Front Yard
Side Slope
Parking Lot Islands
Helpful Links Plant Dane!... http://www.myfairlakes.com/plantdane.aspx Dane County Office of Lakes and Watersheds http://www.danewaters.com/private/raingarden.aspx UW-Extension http://clean water.uwex.edu/pubs/pdf/home.rgmanual.pdf City of Madison http://www.cityofmadison.com/engineering/stormwater/raingardens.cfm com/engineering/stormwater/raingardens cfm WI-DNR http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/runoff/rg/links.htm Rain Garden Network http://www.raingardennetwork.com/ Johnson County Soil & Water Conservation District http://www.jcswcd.org/rainwater_audit/rain audit.html
Questions?