Rain Garden Steps Basic Rain Garden Steps
1. Determine location.
2. Determine soil type.
3. Determine the size of rain garden needed to handle your stormwater.
4. Determine the number of plants needed for your rain garden.
5. Choose appropriate plants; plants in the low spot of the rain garden need to be able to tolerate wet soil conditions with standing water and periods of dryness, plants on the sloped edge of a typically designed rain garden usually have a medium tolerance to water, and plants on the edges are for dry soil conditions. Native plants are also the best choice for the raingarden because the roots are deeper, allowing for better drainage of water and they also require less care because they are appropriate for weather conditions in your area. Most have long tap roots that are able to acquire their own water so that once the plants are established watering isn't necessary.
6. Order plants as soon as possible. Native plants are not always in stock so ordering them several months before you need them is ideal because the nurseries have time to grow exactly what you want. Order at least 4 weeks before you need them but the sooner the better so you get the plants you really need. Many of the plant suppliers are not local so delivery time needs to be considered.
7. Order seed if appropriate. Many people planting rain gardens do a combination of plugs and seed mix to be most cost effective and ensure success. A native rain garden seed mix (sunny or shady) can fill in areas where your chosen plants may not thrive for one reason or another. You could also choose to order specific seeds of only the plants you chose to plant from a supplier as well. Not everyone uses seed along with plants when designing their rain garden. Some choose to use only seed mix and no plants as it is a cheaper option. It does take longer to get established from seed only.
8. Excavate.
9. Soil amendment (compost). You may want to amend your soil, adding additional nutrients to give your plants an extra boost to get established.
10. Mulch with 2 inches of double shredded bark; a natural, undied bark is preferable.
11. Maintenance. Weeding may be necessary the first few years and once plants become established some may need to be thinned.
1. Determine location.
2. Determine soil type.
3. Determine the size of rain garden needed to handle your stormwater.
4. Determine the number of plants needed for your rain garden.
5. Choose appropriate plants; plants in the low spot of the rain garden need to be able to tolerate wet soil conditions with standing water and periods of dryness, plants on the sloped edge of a typically designed rain garden usually have a medium tolerance to water, and plants on the edges are for dry soil conditions. Native plants are also the best choice for the raingarden because the roots are deeper, allowing for better drainage of water and they also require less care because they are appropriate for weather conditions in your area. Most have long tap roots that are able to acquire their own water so that once the plants are established watering isn't necessary.
6. Order plants as soon as possible. Native plants are not always in stock so ordering them several months before you need them is ideal because the nurseries have time to grow exactly what you want. Order at least 4 weeks before you need them but the sooner the better so you get the plants you really need. Many of the plant suppliers are not local so delivery time needs to be considered.
7. Order seed if appropriate. Many people planting rain gardens do a combination of plugs and seed mix to be most cost effective and ensure success. A native rain garden seed mix (sunny or shady) can fill in areas where your chosen plants may not thrive for one reason or another. You could also choose to order specific seeds of only the plants you chose to plant from a supplier as well. Not everyone uses seed along with plants when designing their rain garden. Some choose to use only seed mix and no plants as it is a cheaper option. It does take longer to get established from seed only.
8. Excavate.
9. Soil amendment (compost). You may want to amend your soil, adding additional nutrients to give your plants an extra boost to get established.
10. Mulch with 2 inches of double shredded bark; a natural, undied bark is preferable.
11. Maintenance. Weeding may be necessary the first few years and once plants become established some may need to be thinned.
