Transcript Rain Gardens A beautiful choice for stormwater

Rain Gardens
A beautiful choice for stormwater
Stormwater
Division
Stormwater Runoff
Water
Quality
Water
Quantity
Kansas River
Wakarusa River
19th Century
Lawrence
20th Century
Lawrence
21st Century
Lawrence
Increased Runoff
Flooding
Pollution
Pollutants In Our Stormwater
Pet Waste
Sediment
Fertilizers and Lawn Chemicals
Detergents and Paint
Yard Waste
Motor Oil and Antifreeze
-Rain GardenCollects 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 Selection
How large
Foundation
Property lines
Downspouts
Overflow
Location of trees
Locate utilities
Design & Plant Selection
Urban
Front or back yard
Formal or natural
Full sun or shade
Native plants, shrubs, grasses
Wet and dry conditions
Natural
SWAN Rain Garden
320 Industrial Lane
Design
Plant species
Number of plants needed
Construction
2-8 inches deep
Flat bottom
Man or machinery
Amend poor soils
Source: Rain Gardens – A how-to manual for homeowners
Planting
Zones
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
Maintenance
Do not fertilize
Water 1st year
Limit soil/debris
Limit compaction
Remove weeds – no herbicides
Downspout Rain Garden
Visitation Church
5141 Main, Kansas City
Douglas County Extension
West Rain Garden
BEFORE
Douglas County Extension
West Rain Garden
AFTER
Douglas County Extension
East Rain Garden
BEFORE
Douglas County Extension
East Rain Garden
AFTER
Douglas County Extension
East Rain Garden
AFTER
AFTER
Rose
Turtlehead
Cardinal Flower
New England Aster
Little Bluestem
Marsh Milkweed Butterfly Milkweed
Sideoats Grama
Yellow Coneflower
Prairie Blazing
Star
Frank’s
Sedge
Blue Lobelia
Blue Flag Iris
Prairie Coreopsis
Golden Alexanders
Culver’s
Root
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
Source: City of Maplewood, MN
Questions?