Do Your Part to Protect Your Watershed, Plant a Rain Garden

1. Rain Gardens Sarah J. Williams UMass Amherst Sustainable Sites- Spring 2011

4. Protects communities from flooding.

5. Protects streams and lakes from pollutants .

6. Enhances beauty of landscaping.

7. Provides habitat for birds, butterflies and other good insects.

9. Near existing downspout.

10. Away from septic tank.

11. Away from existing wet patches-prevents ponding.

12. Sun is better than shade.

13. Flat is better than sloped.

15. Size-

16. Rain Garden Area = 5-10% Surface area of runoff collection (i.e. roof, driveway etc)

17. Depth and area are dependant on climate in area where garden is being planted

19. Compost makes a significant difference in root development.

21. Select plants with a well-developed root system. Seeds can take too long to develop and can be compromised by too much water or animals.

22. Plants need to be able to handle heavy amounts of water and periods of dryness.

23. Plants that can handle more water should be placed at the lowest point in the garden- center or back edge depending on slope.

24. New England Wild Flower Association Rain Garden Plant List

25. If you are outside of New England, Google “rain garden plants for Your Location” to find plant lists. New England Aster Coneflower

27. Weeding:

28. First year- once a month during growing season

29. subsequent years- once a season

31. If its possible to get plants from friends or neighbors the cost will be negligible.

33. Sources http://www.newenglandwild.org/publications-and-resources/rain-gardens.html http://learningstore.uwex.edu/assets/pdfs/GWQ037.pdf http://www.neponset.org/raingarden.htm http://www.ehow.com/how_5289060_test-soil-drainage.html