Building a Rain Garden
October 2003



Upper portion of the American Elm park before rain garden. Ground water was running to the east side of the park (right side of the picture) causing erosion and storm water runoff onto Ladd Street.(seen in the background)

The first step was to remove about six-inches of clay topsoil to create two cells. The first cell was the larger of the two cells. To help capture the rainwater, most of the clay material was used to build up or "berm" the sides of the cells. The center of the berm surrounding the first cell was cut to direct rainwater into the second cell. The area was then flagged to indicate plant locations.

Picture taken on October 10 showing berm and flags. Note two streams of ground water flowing into the first cell. This picture was taken on October 10, two weeks since there had been significant rainfall.

The next step was the most crucial. The goal was to create an area that will act like a sponge to soak up hundreds of gallons of rainwater. The local heavy clay soil which would never function properly, was replaced with a 2/1/1 mixture of sand/composted leaves (Leafgro)/soil; about 5 cubic yards worth was used in the first cell. The second cell was filled with compost by itself. Care was taken not to compact the fill.







Dump truck dumping fill into the first cell.




Kids helping spread fill in first cell.

The next step was the planting. The upper portion of the garden, near the sump pump discharge pipe, was planted with native grass. The center of the first cell was planted with moisture tolerant plants.

The plants selected for the rain garden are unlike those used in conventional settings. Native perennials that enjoy moist and even saturated soils will thrive and encourage visitation by butterflies, hummingbirds, and other nectar and berry feeders.



Work group planting in first cell.

The rain garden was planted with a variety of moisture loving plants, among them cardinal flower, Asclepias incarnata (hummingbird and butterfly magnets respectively), panic grass, big bluestem, switchgrass, and the shrubs - red-twig dogwood, winterberry holly, button bush, clethra (summersweet), blackhaw (Viburnum prunifolium) and others. Creeping red fesue was planted on the berm.

Virginia Bluebells, which will eventually make the area look like the bluest sky has fallen into it, will be added later this fall when they are available.
After planting was done, the two cells were mulched, and the woody plants were protected with wire cages.








American Elm Park taken on the afternoon of the workday, Oct. 13th, 2003