RAIN GARDENS Discovery Initiative Bill Sciarappa, Ph.D. Vivian Quinn, Program Assistant

Development & imperviousness reduces the natural capacity of soil & vegetation to infiltrate and take up rainfall PROBLEMS & POLLUTANTS Flooding Erosion Increased Sediment Beach Closures Non-point Pollution Gas and oil Bacteria-pet waste Eroded soil Road salt Litter Pesticides Fertilizers

Stormwater runs over streets, parking lots & lawns & washes into streams, lakes & rivers Polluted Stormwater Sedimentation  Smothers aquatic life Nitrogen  ammonia kills fish Phosphorus fertilizers  Algae blooms Salt & petrochemical contamination  mortality Bacterial peaks  human health hazards

What is a Watershed? The area of land that drains to a water body - We’re all connected through waterflows through our watershed. Restoring the natural buffers along our streams, lakes and ponds provides major environmental benefits to all citizens.

 Engineered wetlands  Infiltration basins  Grassy swales  Bioretention basins  Rain Barrels *  RAIN GARDENS* SOLUTION: BIORETENTION minimizes impact of stormwater Physical water retention & biological & chemical Interaction between soil, vegetation & water * No permits needed

WHAT IS A RAIN GARDEN ? A specially landscaped, shallow depression that captures & filters polluted stormwater runoff  Reduces pollution from non-point sources  Conserves water  Recharges underground water supply

LOCATION, LOCATION Residential – typically sq. ft. Catch rainwater from roof From driveway & sidewalk Anyplace that will allow stormwater to be captured Stormwater is directed into garden by pipes, swales, or curb openings Home Gardens

MUNICIPAL RAIN GARDENS Wall Bike Path Sea Girt Asbury Park Fair Haven

Protecting Raritan Bay - Keyport Rain Garden

SCHOOL RAIN GARDENS Brookdale Spring Lake Heights Keansburg Biotechnology HS

A SOLUTION TO POLLUTION AT OUR AG BUILDING

Completed & functioning in every season

Preliminary Observation  Site Selection  Where it will receive runoff  Area without ponding  Select flat part of yard for easier digging  At least 10 ft. from foundation  Not directly over septic system  Not suitable where the seasonal high water table level is less than 24"  Full or partial sunlight – first choice  Check utility markouts GETTING STARTED

Select rain gardens website

PLANT SELECTIONS  Select WET & DRY tolerant plants  Suggest native plants  Do not require fertilization  Absorb water more efficiently than lawns  Easier to maintain  Inexpensive  Different heights, shapes & textures  Vary blooming times  Sun & Shade varieties

Inkberry Holly: Ilex Glabra - midsized evergreen shrub. Prefers moist soil, but can tolerate dry. 6-8'. SHRUBS Cranberry Viburnum: Viburnum Trilobum - large shrub, as wide as it is tall. Bright red fruit is attractive and edible. Prefers moist, well drained soil. 6-12'

Soft Rush: Juncus Effusus - clump forming rush which usually raches about 3'. Stems are unbranched and round in cross section. To 3'. Wild Bergamot: Monarda Fistulosa - perennial found in dry fields, thickets, and woodland borders. 2" clusters of pale pink-lilac flowers in late summer Blue Flag: Iris versicolor - native iris of northern wetlands with blue flowers and sword shaped leaves. PERENNIALS

Themed Rain Gardens Bird & Butterfly Tree + Shrub Ornamental bark, flowers, and berries Deer Tolerant Themed Rain Gardens

PLANTING Arrange plants according to light needs, spacing requirements & heights Add a layer of mulch Invite your friends!

MAINTENANCE  Watering – until established  Weeding - occasional  Remove sediment buildup/trash/leaves at inflow & outflow  Re-vegetate & add mulch as necessary  Soil Testing – every 3-5 yrs  NO Fertilizing – sustains itself  Pruning  Deadheading

BEFORE Function Beauty Value AFTER Rainwater wasted Pollution created

ESTIMATED COSTS Average small sized homeowner rain garden –$3 to $5/sq. ft. – yourself –$10 to $12/sq. ft. - landscaper Average medium landscaper built rain garden –Material - $2,000 –Labor - $1,500 Average large sized municipal rain garden demonstration Total unit cost $5,000 Expected buy-in of municipality $1,500 & boro labor, volunteer help, community equipment. Possible rain garden contest for streamside living in the municipality

CONSTRUCTION

Think Globally – Act Locally