Rain Gardens A beautiful choice for stormwater Stormwater Division.

Rain GardensA beautiful choice for stormwater

StormwaterDivision

Stormwater Runoff

Water Quality

Water Quantit

y

Kansas River

Wakarusa River

19th Century

Lawrence

20th Century

Lawrence

21st Century

Lawrence

Increased Runoff

Flooding Pollution

Pollutants In Our StormwaterPet Waste

Sediment

Fertilizers and Lawn Chemicals

Detergents and Paint

Yard Waste

Motor Oil and Antifreeze

-Rain Garden-Collects runoff from roof and yard, keeping it

out of stormwater drainage system.

Allows pollutants to be filtered out and decreases localized flooding.

Unlike bog or wetland gardens, Rain Gardens hold water for only 1 to 2 days.

Compared to a conventional lawn, a Rain Garden can allow 30% more water to soak into the ground. Rain Gardens are also wonderful habitat for wildlife and can be an attractive

asset to any property.

Site SelectionHow large

Foundation

Property lines

Downspouts

Overflow

Location of trees

Locate utilities

Natural

Design & Plant SelectionFront or back yard

Formal or natural

Full sun or shade

Native plants, shrubs, grasses

Wet and dry conditions

Urban

SWAN Rain Garden320 Industrial Lane

Design

Plant species

Number of plants needed

Source: Rain Gardens – A how-to manual for homeowners

Construction2-8 inches deep

Flat bottom

Man or machinery

Amend poor soils

PlantingZones

Plant placement - height

Defined edge

Mulch

Connect downspout underground or with a grass or rock lined swale.

Protect inflow from scouring and erosion.

First Growing Season

MaintenanceDo not fertilize

Limit soil/debris

Remove weeds – no herbicides

Water 1st year

Limit compaction

Downspout Rain Garden

Visitation Church

5141 Main, Kansas City

Douglas County ExtensionWest Rain Garden

BEFORE

Douglas County ExtensionWest Rain Garden

AFTER

Douglas County ExtensionEast Rain Garden

BEFORE

Douglas County ExtensionEast Rain Garden

AFTER

Douglas County ExtensionEast Rain Garden

AFTERAFTER

Rose Turtlehead

Cardinal Flower Marsh Milkweed Butterfly Milkweed

New England Aster Sideoats Grama

Frank’s Sedge

Golden Alexanders

Blue Flag IrisLittle Bluestem

Blue Lobelia

Yellow Coneflower

Prairie Blazing Star

Culver’s Root

Prairie Coreopsis

Source: City of Maplewood, MN

Daylily Garden

Source: City of Maplewood, MN

Shrub Garden

Source: City of Maplewood, MN

Prairie Garden

Source: City of Maplewood, MN

Butterfly Garden

Source: City of Maplewood, MN

Shade Garden

Source: City of Maplewood, MN

Sunny Border Garden

Questions?