What is a Rain Garden?
A rain garden is a garden in a low spot that catches and slows storm water from downspouts, driveways, parking lots, and roads and allows it to infiltrate into the soil with the help of deep-rooted plants that like water. The garden is planted in a shallow basin as part of an area’s landscaping plan and will actually filter pollutants plan and will actually filter pollutants from the runoff that it captures and absorbs. Download your copy of the
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Rain gardens can be designed in all shapes and sizes. They are designed for sun, shade, clay, sand, and everything in between. They can be formal or informal gardens. Plants can include native and/or non-native plants, like grasses, black-eyed susans, daylilies, coneflowers, red-twigged dogwood, and many more. Rain gardens can also include stone culverts and paths and other beautiful features.
Rain garden Brochure
Naturescaping Brochure
How Do Rain Gardens Work?
  1. Runoff from Parking Lot or Road
2. Runoff from Downspout
3. Infiltration
4. Slow & Reduce Runoff (safe outlet for excess water)
5. Deep Roots Loosen Soil
Rain Garden Benefits
  Mimic natural conditions
Slow runoff near sources
Help maintain natural hydrology
Infiltration
Filter Pollutants
Provide Habitat
Provide storage for floodwater
Improve water quality
Provide habitat for wildlife
Beautify neighborhoods
Building and Design Considerations
  Planning and Design
Draw a map of the property to scale.
Determine how big you want your garden to be.
Call the Ohio Utilities Protection Service (OUPS) “Call Before You Dig” at 1-800-362-2764.
Downspout disconnect ordinances
Weed ordinances
Soil Evaluation
Perform a water percolation test
Perform pH test.
How to Size a Rain Garden
  Questions to ask yourself:
What type of soil do I have?
How big is the area draining to the rain garden?
What is the slope?
What is the best size to fit my yard?
Determining Your Soil Type
  Some hints:
Soil feels gritty and coarse = sandy
Soil feels smooth not sticky = silty
Soil feels sticky and clumpy = clayey
Test your soil drainage:
Dig a hole 8”x8”x8”
Fill with water
Should drain at 1” / hr
If not, amend with a course sand and top soil mixture (% dependent on conditions)
Frequently Asked Questions
  1. Does a rain garden form a pond?
  No. The rain water will soak in so the rain garden is dry between rainfalls.
  2. Are they a breeding ground for mosquitoes?
  No! Mosquitoes need 7-10 days to mature. Standing water in the rain garden will soak in within 24-48 hours after most storms.
 

Questions Call:

Breann Hohman, Watershed Coordinator, ESWCD
2900 Columbus Ave.
Sandusky, Ohio 44870
(P) 419 ~ 626 ~ 5211
(F) 419 ~ 609 ~ 9707
(E) bhohman@erie-county-ohio.net

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