Transcript The True Skinny on Installing a Rain Garden

The True Skinny on
Installing a Rain
Garden at Your
Home
Informal presentation by
Susan Curry, Ambler EAC
100 Rain Gardens of Ambler (Fall 2012)
Why Do it?
The rain that falls on your
property is free water.
The rain that runs off your
property causes damage.
Keep it for good!
Why Do it?
Less runoff means less:
• Pollution
• Erosion
• Sedimentation
Why Do it?
More infiltration serves better:
• Recharges groundwater
• Filters toxins
Why Do it?
Beauty:
• Birds & butterflies “TV”
• Year-round color
• Habitat
Why Do it?
Pride:
• Care of local stream life
• Remarkable landscape
• Upstream citizen
• Stewardship worldview
Personal Considerations
Planning
Installation
Cost
Maintenance
(it is a garden after all)
Garden Planning
Where – eyeball assessment
• Not already soggy area
• Not too many roots
• Less than 5% slope
• Natural flow from a downspout
• Visible to you or passersby
• Not over septic field
• At least 10’ away from foundation
Infiltration test (may need sand wicks)
Garden Planning
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How deep 6” to 15”
What size – calculate impervious
How to get it dug
Where to put extra sod and dirt
Which plants, how many, where
Purchase Considerations
Labor
Tool rental
Mulch + topsoil
Native plants
Drain spout diversion piping
Rocks, sand
Installation Costs
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Hire infiltration test professional
Rent de-sodder
Downspout(s) diversion
Pipes + outfall (trench)
Native plants
Mulch + topsoil (delivery)
Labor (DIY or landscaper)
Rocks ?Sand? ?Augur?
Personal Considerations
Maintenance
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Water first season
Weed 1-2 times a year
Mulch annually
3rd year: Dividing + replanting
as needed
Tools
Sod remover
Tarps
Rototiller
Hand claws
Hand tillers
Leverage bar
Shovels
Pick axe
Hard rakes
Augur
Levelers or transit
Tamper
Hose and faucet
Trencher
Trowels
Post-hole digger
Branch saw
Drainage System for Rain Garden
All items are from Home Depot In Garden Supplies (outside)
NDS
Styrene Offset Down Spout Adapter
SKU #704026
$2.34
NDS
4in Styrene 90-Degree Hub x Hub Elbow
SKU #703605
$3.02
NDS 4in Styrene 45-Degree Hub x Hub Elbow
SKU #703613
$2.50
NDS 4in Styrene Hub x Hub Coupling
SKU #703648
$1.19
In Plumbing Dept:
Advanced Drainage Systems 4in x 10ft Triplewall Pipe Solid
SKU #189781
$7.54
Prior to Day of the Dig
TAKE A PHOTO
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Call 811
Conduct an infiltration test
Verify feasibility of site
Calculate impervious surface to drain
Design the shape; line for trenches
Remove sod, cover area with tarp, extra dirt
Pick two dates (rain date may be needed)
Order plants – mulch – top soil – rocks – sand
Buy downspout diversion and pipes
Day of the Dig
1.
2.
(dry 3 days prior)
Outline + inside outline 3’ in from all sides
Dig the center tub to desired depth, build berm at downhill side -use rototiller and shovels, pick axe if needed
3. Level the bottom and check really level with transit
4. Shape shallow slopes of sides (1 foot drop per 3 foot span)
5. Connect downspout pipe to garden. Bury with 4” above
6. Post-hole dig or augur holes if need sand wicks (level again)
7. Add topsoil 3”, rototill – minimize compaction, very little walking
8. Plant -- minimize soles in the garden
9. Loosen soil again with rotating prong hoe
10. Add mulch 3” – toss from sides
11. Water
TAKE A PHOTO - SMILE
Day of the Dig
(dry weather 3 days prior or tarp)
1.
2.
3.
Outline (sod already removed)
Second outline 3’ in from all sides
Dig out the center tub to desired depth, build berm at downhill
side -- use rototiller and shovels, pick axe if needed
4. Level the bottom and check really level with transit
5. Shape shallow slopes of sides (1 foot drop per 3 foot span)
6. Post-hole dig or augur holes if need sand wicks (level again)
7. Connect downspout pipe to side of garden
8. Add topsoil 3” – minimize compaction, very little walking
9. Plant -- minimize soles in the garden
10. Loosen soil again with rotating prong hoe
11. Add mulch 3” – toss from sides
12. Water
TAKE A PHOTO - SMILE
What could go wrong?
• Doesn’t drain in two days
• Improper infiltration test – soils too clay
• Installed when ground was too wet from
recent rain -compacted
• Dug too deep and or built berm too high –
holding too much water
• Miscalculation of impervious surface draining
to garden
TRY: SAND WICKS, widen and shallower
What could go wrong?
• Berm blows out with first vivid rain
• Trenches connected before dig day
• Plants too close together – crowded
when mature
• Basement wetter – stay 10’ away
from foundation
100 Rain Gardens of Ambler
Public awareness
+
incentives
=
Rain Gardens
100 Rain Gardens of Ambler
Ambler EAC
• Got grants
• Organized volunteer labor
• Purchased a tools inventory
• Developed HomeOwner Agreements
• Advertised
Provided fairly intense guidance to
homeowners through whole process
100 Rain Gardens of Ambler
Advertised the incentives
• Newspaper articles
• Sustainable movies preview slides
• Booths at events
• Farmers’ markets flyers
• Municipal Home Town News
• Tour of Rain Gardens
• GreenTreks video -- 7-minutes
100 Rain Gardens of Ambler
Advertised the incentives:
Newspapers
Movie theater preview slides
Events
Farmers’ markets
Municipal Home Town News
Tour of Rain Gardens
7-minute GreenTreks video:
www.stormwaterpa.org/raingarden
100 Rain Gardens of Ambler
Advertised the incentives:
 Newspapers
 Movie theater preview slides
 Events
 Farmers’ markets
 Municipal Home Town News
 Tour of Rain Gardens
 7-minute GreenTreks video:
www.stormwaterpa.org/raingarden