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Rain Gardens

Rain Gardens Credits- All images in this presentation are from the following manual: Rain Gardens- A How-to Manual for Homeowners Your Personal Contribution to Cleaner Water

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Rain Gardens

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  1. Rain Gardens Credits- All images in this presentation are from the following manual: Rain Gardens- A How-to Manual for Homeowners Your Personal Contribution to Cleaner Water Authors- City of Tallahassee Stormwater Management, TAPP- Think About Personal Pollution. www.TAPPwater.org. The original concept and illustrations were derived from the University of Wisconsin Extension Service

  2. Why use Rain Gardens? • Increase the amount of water that filters into the ground- recharging groundwater supplies • Provide protection from flooding and drainage problems • Protect streams, lakes and rivers from pollutants • Channel water away from structures • Wildlife habitat Page 5

  3. Elements of a Rain Garden • Diverse mix of flowering plants, sedges, rushes, and grasses • Native plants a good choice- rainfall patterns • Consider bloom time • Mix heights, shapes and textures • Mulch- composted yard debris and leaves • Add rocks, stones, gravel for more texture and interest Page 5

  4. Locating the Rain Garden • At least 10 feet from house so water does not seep into foundation • Integrate into existing landscape • Locate next to outdoor gathering areas • Don’t locate over septic system or drainfield, or under a large tree • Locate in full or partial sun • Encourage additional water filtration- don’t locate in already low spot • Add plants to low spot and create new low spot with garden Page 6

  5. Size and Shape of Garden • Kidney or teardrop shapes • Size depends on: • Type of soil • Size of roof and lawn area to drain • Depth of rain garden Page 7

  6. Type of Soil and Drainage Area • Clay- slowest rate, so gardens must be larger. Too much clay is poor location • Sandy- highest rate, smaller gardens • The larger the drainage area the larger the garden Page 9

  7. Calculating Drainage Area • 10 to 30 feet from a downspout- almost all water comes from roof- calculate portion of roof that drains into garden • More than 30 feet from downspout- measure length and width of up lawn and add to roof area Page 9

  8. Depth of Rain Garden • Typical- 4 to 8 inches • Ground surface of the garden must be level • The slope of the lawn determines the depth of the garden • A steeper slope will allow a deeper garden Page 10

  9. Calculating Slope • One stake at highest point- a second stake at low point – about 15’ away • Use a carpenter’s or string level • Measure distance between stakes (width) • Measure height from ground to string on downhill stake Page 10

  10. Calculate Slope and Depth Page 11

  11. Calculate Square Footage Page 13

  12. Shape of the Garden The long side of the garden should face uphill Page 14 The garden should be longer than it is wide

  13. Length and Width of the Garden • Choose a width that fits the area- 10’ is typical, but no more that 15’ • Should be wide enough for the water to spread evenly over the whole bottom surface • Provide enough space for a variety of plants Page 14

  14. Digging the Rain Garden • Dig the depth of the garden at the uphill stake • Maintain the same depth across the bottom • Pile the dirt on the low side to create the berm Page 16

  15. Building the Berm • The berm should be as high as or slightly higher than the uphill edge • Compact the soil in the berm by tamping hard • Have gently sloping sides and plant to integrate into the rest surrounding garden Page 18

  16. Conclusion • Rain gardens capture stormwater • Rain gardens: • fit with the Florida-Friendly principle of reducing runoff • facilitate a positive way to solve a problem • Reduced stormwater equates to cleaner water bodies

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