Rain Gardens

Time

Depending on the type of rain garden selected, installing a rain garden can take from 1-2 months or 6-12 months. Rain gardens located in areas where water normally ponds can be designed and installed rather simply. If you want to create a rain garden that collects runoff from your school roof or parking lot, more engineering and special permitting would be required, increasing the length of your project (but improving the overall reduction of runoff leaving your school grounds). During the first year of establishment, watering and weeding will be required. Once established; limited watering and some continued weeding is needed.

Land Use

The amount of land needed will depended on the amount of runoff you are hoping to capture.

Important Note:

If you plan to dig in order to plant your garden, you should first contact Miss Utility to mark underground utilties.

If you plan to remove asphalt from or alter the grade of your schoolground, you will need to contact the Sediment and Stormwater Technical Services to receive a permit to do so. For more information, visit their Web site or contact Abdi Musse at 202.535.2978.

Necessary Materials

Most simple rain gardens involve the excavation of existing soils and replacement with a special soil mixture that is more porous. Native plants are used that are adapted to dry/slightly moist soils. General tools- such as shovels and pick axes and gloves are required. Engineered rain gardens may have drains and other type of materials.

Educational Themes

Water quality, local waterways and the Chesapeake Bay, impervious and pervious surfaces, stormwater runoff, water pollution, native plants and wildlife

decoration ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Miss Utility: Washington DC
Miss Utility needs to be notified of any digging for gardening or forestry purposes, so that they can first mark underground utilities.

University of Massachusetts Amherst: Department of Plant and Soil Sciences
UMass offers various soil tests at reasonable costs. Their $13 "Standard Soil Test w/Organic Matter” includes testing for pH, nutrients, lead, and percentages of organic matter.

US Department of Agricuture: Soils
This site offers detailed information on soils and will offer an online soil survey as of June 17, 2005.

DC Department of Health, Sediment and Stormwater Technical Services Branch
If you are planning to implement a large scale project such as removing asphalt or changing the grade of your school grounds, you will need to contact the Sediment and Stormwater Technical Services to receive a permit to do so. For more information, visit their Web site or contact Abdi Musse at 202.535.2978.