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Published byMaya Seabrook Modified over 9 years ago
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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)
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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!
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Why Do it? Less runoff means less: Pollution Erosion Sedimentation
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Why Do it? More infiltration serves better: Recharges groundwater Filters toxins
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Why Do it? Beauty: Birds & butterflies “TV” Year-round color Habitat
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Why Do it? Pride: Care of local stream life Remarkable landscape Upstream citizen Stewardship worldview
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Personal Considerations Planning Installation Cost Maintenance (it is a garden after all)
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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 )
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Garden Planning 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
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Purchase Considerations Labor Tool rental Mulch + topsoil Native plants Drain spout diversion piping Rocks, sand
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Installation Costs 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?
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Personal Considerations Maintenance Water first season Weed 1-2 times a year Mulch annually 3 rd year: Dividing + replanting as needed
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Tools Sod remover Tarps RototillerHand claws Hand tillers Leverage bar ShovelsPick axe Hard rakes Augur Levelers or transitTamper Hose and faucetTrencher Trowels Post-hole digger Branch saw
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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
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Prior to Day of the Dig TAKE A PHOTO 1.Call 811 2.Conduct an infiltration test 3.Verify feasibility of site 4.Calculate impervious surface to drain 5.Design the shape; line for trenches 6.Remove sod, cover area with tarp, extra dirt 7.Pick two dates (rain date may be needed) 8.Order plants – mulch – top soil – rocks – sand 9.Buy downspout diversion and pipes
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Day of the Dig (dry 3 days prior) 1.Outline + inside outline 3’ in from all sides 2.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.WaterTAKE A PHOTO - SMILE
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Day of the Dig (dry weather 3 days prior or tarp) 1.Outline (sod already removed) 2.Second outline 3’ in from all sides 3.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.WaterTAKE A PHOTO - SMILE
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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
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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
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100 Rain Gardens of Ambler Public awareness + incentives = Rain Gardens
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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
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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
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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 www.stormwaterpa.org/raingarden
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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 www.stormwaterpa.org/raingarden
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