Rain Gardens
A rain garden is a constructed and shallow depression in the earth which is planted with native plants that collect rain water and infiltrates it to the soils below. This infiltration process reduces the amount of stormwater runoff that is discharged from your property and helps to improve water quality.
Although it may appear simple to create a rain garden, there are an alarming number of improperly designed or improperly installed rain gardens which fail to function as they should.
Careful assessment of the amount of impermeable and permeable surfaces on your property is necessary to determine the size and location of your rain garden. Soil infiltration tests should also be conducted to help determine how quickly the water percolates through the soil. If your rain garden is not sized, located and installed correctly, it will not be effective at reducing stormwater runoff and it is likely that you will be disappointed with the time and money you invested in it.
To help customers with the design and installation of their rain garden, we offer two support options:
1) Professional design and installation.
2) Customized design which is installed by the property owner.
For those who are the "do it yourself" type, we have written a "Do It Yourself Rain Garden Manual" which is intended to lead you through the process of designing and installing a functionally superior rain garden on your own. This manual can be purchased by calling 763-784-3833.