RAIN GARDENSDiscovery 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 oilBacteria-pet wasteEroded soilRoad saltLitterPesticidesFertilizers

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 basinsGrassy swalesBioretention basinsRain 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 100-300 sq. ft. Catch rainwater from roofFrom driveway & sidewalkAnyplace 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

Accumulated SedimentAccumulated Sediment

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

http://www.water.rutgers.edu/ 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

PLANTINGArrange 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