tennessee; rain gardens for nashville: a resource guide for planning, designing and maintaining rain...

8/3/2019 Tennessee; Rain Gardens for Nashville: A Resource Guide for Planning, Designing and Maintaining Rain Gardens - R

1/18

A Resource Guide

or PLANNING,

DESIGNING and

MAINTAINING

a beautiul Rain Garden.

Rain Gardens or NashvilleMake the most o the rain that alls on your property


2/18

2

www.r

aingard

ensforn

ashville.com

Rain Gardens or Nashville

3 Overview

Plant Material Tasks

Berm Tasks

Ponding Tasks

Soil Tasks

Mulch Tasks

Full Sun Rain Garden

Small Full Sun Rain Garden

Shaded Rain Garden

No-Fail Rain Garden

Plant Lists

46

815

1617

Planning

Design

Design Templates

Maintenance

Estimating Costs

Reerences

and Additional

Resources:

Locating your Rain Garden

Testing and Amendingyour Soil

Sizing your Garden

Step 1 Getting Started

Step 2 Site Preparation

Step 3 Excavation

Step 4 Amending the Soil

Step 5 The Berm

Step 6 Planting

Step 7 Edging & Mulching

Contents


3/18

www.RainGardensorNashville.com

3

RAINY DAY STORY or what can

happen when it rains.

I you live in Nashville, much o

the land around you has been

covered with roads, parking lots

and buildings. Rain water that alls onto these

hard suraces becomes runo that ows acrosspaved areas warming and collecting contaminants,

such as oil, pesticides and pet waste, along its

way. This warm polluted water ows into storm

water sewer systems eventually entering streams.

Even worse, in some older areas o the city with

combined storm water and sewage pipes, runo

can combine with raw sewage during heavy rains.

I the volume o this combined sewage is too great

it can overow untreated into our rivers. All this

runo puts a heavy burden on our streams and

leads to ooding, erosion and habitat loss. This

costs our city extra money in water treatment

and repairs.


OverviewDo you want to be part o improving the health and beauty o our streams?

Rain Gardens or Nasville has created this simple step-by-step guide to

show you how.

A GOOD CLEAN STORY or what we can do

to help.

Rain Gardens are a natural and beautiul

way to reduce and clean storm water. They are

shallow, depressed gardens designed to collect rain

water and allow it time to flter into the ground.

This results in cleaner water, less water enteringour storm systems and more water reflling the

underground water table that keeps small streams

owing during the dry summer months.

Rain Gardens are lovely, lively, colorul, low

maintenance habitats or insects and animals. Their

native plants provide ood to song birds

and butteries.

Join Rain Gardens or Nasville in planting 300

Rain Gardens to keep our streams clean,

owing and ealty.

A


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Planning

Tennessee is known or its

shallow bedrock, so make sure

the soil is at least 24 inches deep

in your garden location or

proper drainage.

Make sure the slope o your

site is less than 12% (see page

5). A site too steep will drain

too quickly and needs increased

excavation work.

Try not to build your rain

garden under existing trees

Many things need to be considered when locating and planning your

rain garden. Although each site is dierent, the ollowing generalguidelines will help make your rain garden a success.

LOCATING YOUR RAIN

GARDEN

Build your rain garden at least 10

eet downhill rom your or your

neighbors house to avoid water

getting in the oundation.

Never build a rain garden

above a septic system or shallow

underground utilities. Call TN One

Call (811) beore you begin.

Your rain garden should not

be located in an area o your yard

where water pools because the

water cant drain quickly enough.

because it can damage roots.

I your downspouts are routed

into pipes or onto the ground,

disconnect them and try to locate

your garden to catch and treat

the water.

Make sure your rain garden is

not within a streams oodway or

the plants may wash away!


5/18

a

b

Pound two stakes into the ground; one at the uphill side o1.your rain garden and one at the downhill side.

Tie a string to the uphill stake at ground level.2.

Tie the other end o the string to the downhill stake, ensuring3.the string is level.

Measure the width in inches between the two stakes (a).4.

Measure the height in inches rom the ground to the string on5.the downhill stake ( b).

Divide the height (b) by the length (a) and multiply by 100 to6.calculate the percentage o slope.

To calculate the percentage o slopeollow these steps

MEASURING SLOPE

5


TESTING AND

AMENDING YOUR SOIL

Once you have picked a potential

location or your rain garden,

you will need to test the soil to

determine i it will drain properly.

I the infltration rate o your

soil is too low, water may pond

in your garden or too long

breeding mosquitoes and killing

your plants.

First, dig a hole 12 inches

deep, fll it with water and

allow the water to saturate thesurrounding soil.

Next, refll the hole and time

how long it takes to drain. I it

drains in:

Less tan 24 ours, your

infltration rate is good

Between 24 and 48 ours, your

soil will infltrate, but sould

be amended wit a mixture o

20-30% o te existing soil, 20-

30% compost, & 40-60% sand

to a dept o 6 incesGreater tan 48 ours, tis is

not te best spot or a

rain garden.

I there are no other suitable

locations, you can replace the

soil to a depth o 2 eet with a

mixture o 20-30% imported

topsoil, 20-30% compost, & 40-

60% sand.

Another option is to install an

under drain system, gravel, or

both. Please contact Metro WaterServices Stormwater Department

or more details at 615-880-

2420.

SIZING YOUR GARDEN

Whatever the size o your rain garden, catching and infltrating runo

will improve our water quality. Rain Gardens typically range rom

100 300 square eet to catch most o the runo rom your yard,

although smaller gardens are sometimes necessary due to lot

constraints. A simple equation to calculate the best size or your

garden is:

Since most o the rainall events in Nashville are 1 inch or less and

your rain garden should be about 6 inches deep, you should use thesevalues in the equation. For example, i the roo area draining to your

rain garden is 1000 square eet, then your rain garden will be:

Rain Depth (in) Drainage Area (ft2)

GardenDepth (in)

1 in 1,000 ft2

6 in

Rain Garden (ft2) =

Rain Garden = = 167 ft2


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6


Tools youll need:

Tape measure

Shovels

Rake

Trowels

Wheelbarrow

Carpenters level

Marking paint

String

Eye, hand and

oot protection.

Hardhats i using

machinery such as a bobcat

or backhoe.

1 2 3

Design

GETTING STARTED

Remember to call TN One-

Call (811) in advance to mark

underground utilities.

Rent machinery in advancesuch as a tiller, backhoe, or

bobcat i needed.

Check the weather orecast

and schedule your work or

a dry day. Rain will delay

construction and cause

sediment to wash into the

storm system.

Gather tools and material

close to the site.

Ask your riends and

neighbors or help with the

construction. I you dont

want to build it yoursel, hire

a proessional landscaper with

rain garden experience.

EXCAVATION

Dig your garden the size,

shape and depth that you have

determined during planning.

Remember to take intoaccount the soil amendment

depth (i needed) and the fnal

3 inch mulch layer. Your fnal

rain garden should be around 6

inches deep.

Do not compact the soil

during excavation.

It is crucial to make te

bottom at and level so

water will infltrate evenly

and not pool. Use survey

methods or a carpenters level

laid on top o a board to check

and correct your work.

I your rain garden is on a

slope, place excavated soil on

the downhill side to be used

later to orm the berm.

SITE P REPARATION

Mark the outline o the rain

garden on the ground with

loose chalk, spray paint,

stakes, ags or a garden hose.Install appropriate erosion

controls such as silt ence or

fber logs i you are creating

run o sediment or mud

that will enter storm drains

or water bodies. Reer to

The Tennessee Erosion and

Sediment ControlHandbook

or more inormation:

Rain gardens come in a variety o shapes and sizes. You can select rom the templates in

this manual, or invent your own shape. The best designs are typically longer than theyare wide, with the longer side perpendicular to the direction o water owing into your

garden. You can also get water to your garden by routing a pipe rom your gutters or

building a stone lined channel to carry the ow. In any o these cases, you should make

certain that the water is not entering your rain garden too ast or erosion may occur.

Te frst rule o sustainability is to align with

natural orces, or at least not try to dey them.

Paul Hawken

Follow theseseven steps orsuccess.

Remember to call TN One-Call (811)

http://www.tn.gov/environment/wpc/

sed_ero_controlhandbook/
http://www.tn.gov/environment/wpc/sed_ero_controlhandbook/http://www.tn.gov/environment/wpc/sed_ero_controlhandbook/http://www.tn.gov/environment/wpc/sed_ero_controlhandbook/http://www.tn.gov/environment/wpc/sed_ero_controlhandbook/http://www.tn.gov/environment/wpc/sed_ero_controlhandbook/http://www.tn.gov/environment/wpc/sed_ero_controlhandbook/


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4 5 6 7ThE BERM

I the garden is located on

a slope, use the remaining

excavated soil to construct

a berm on the downhill

side o the rain garden.

The berm should be rounded

and gradually taper on the

sides until it meets the existing

lawn. Once the berm is

shaped, compact it with your

eet or a tamping bar. The

berm will act as a dam to hold

more water in the garden.

To prevent erosion the berm

will need to be planted

with grass or incorporated

into the planting design.

EDGING & MULChING

A strong edge or your rain

garden has multiple benefts.

Using trenches, metal or

plastic edging, stone, brick, or

even a thick border o native

grasses creates a strong visual

line and prevents weeds rom

creeping into your rain garden

Make sure your edge is buried

low enough or runo to ow

over it into the garden.

Mulch is used to retain

moisture, prevent erosion,

control weeds and nourish

the soil.

Spread 3 inches o pine straw

or shredded wood mulch over

the rain garden taking care

not to damage plants.

PLANTING

Careully choose native plants

that are quality, established

nursery stock.

Store plants in protected shadyarea until ready to plant.

Do not allow plants to dry out

during storage or installation.

Lay out plants according to

spacing guidelines on design

templates and plant lists. Dig

holes twice as wide as

the root ball.

Plant the crown o the plant

level with the existing soil.

Gently tamp soil around

the roots.

Do not step on or compact

the roots.

Water immediately

ater installation.

Keep tags during

warranty period.

AMENDING ThE SOIL

I your infltration rate

calculation indicated your

soil needs amending, backfll

the excavated soil mixed to a

ratio o 20-30% existing soil

or top soil, 20-30% compost

and 40-60% coarse sand

to the depth outlined in the

Amending your Soil section.

Mix small portions at a time

by hand or with machinery.

Allow it to settle overnight

and add additional soil i

needed. Keep the soil level.

Any work witin te

public rigt-o-way sould

be approved by Metro Public

Works. 615-862-8782

RAIN GARDEN CROSS SECTIONShAPE OF RAIN GARDEN Generally twice as long as wide.Length is perpendicular to slope.

length

sheet ow

side slope

lower at basin

berm

grade bottom at

3 mulch

amended fll soilberm ondownhillside

width


8/18

8


Design templateA Colorul, Full Sun Rain Garden Planting Design. Size, 20 x 10.

1

77

7 77

7 77

77

77

788

88

3

88

8

33 3

3

3

33

44

4

99

99

9 10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

1010

10

1010

1010

1010

55

55 5

55

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

2

2

2

2

2

22

99

9

9 9

9

9

9

9

Plan View - Full Sun Rain Garden Perspective View - Full Sun Rain Garden

Native Plant List

Key Quantity Latin name Common name Size SpaCing CoLor HeigHt

SHruBS

1 1Chlhs

ccdls Bbsh 2 l. Wh 15

2 7 ilx lb cc Dwf ikb 2 l. 4-6

perenniaLS

3 7 ascls sc C mlkwd ls-i l 1 l/18 s.f., .c. o 2-5

4 3 ascls vds g mlkwd ls-i l 1 l/18 s.f., .c. g 2

5 7 Css lcl Lc-lf Css ls-i l 1 l/18 s.f., .c. yllw 6-8

6 14 echc pl Cflw ls-i l 1 l/18 s.f., .c. pl 3-4

7 13 is vc shv Bl Fl is ls-i l 1 l/18 s.f., .c. Bl 1.5-3

8 8 md dd B Bl ls-i l 1 l/2 s.f., .c. rd 3

9 14 rdbck h Blck-d Ss ls-i l 1 l/18 s.f., .c. yllw 3

graSSeS & SeDgeS10 17 Cx sc tssck Sd ls-i l 1 l/18 s.f., .c. 2-3

DID YOU KNOW:Rain Gardens can reduce the amount onitrogen entering storm sewers by 40%or more.

North Carolina State University


9/18

9


2

2

2

1

1

1

1

1

1

33

3

3

4

4

44

44

4

333

Plan View - Small Rain Garden Perspective View - Small Rain Garden

A Small Full Sun Rain Garden Planting Design. Size, 10 x 6.

Design template

Native Plant List

NOTE:

PLANT PERENNIALS USING

TRIANGULAR SPACING. REFER TO

PLANTING LISTS FOR ON-CENTER

PLANTING DIMENSIONS.

PLANTING DETAIL

Finished Grade

Subgrade

Loosened and/oramended soil

Remove or split peat pot

3 Mulch Layer

Key Quantity Latin name Common name Size SpaCing CoLor HeigHt

perenniaLS

1 6 echc pl cflw ls 1 l/18 s.f., .c. pl 3-4

2 3 md dd B bl ls 1 l/2 s.f., .c. rd 3

3 7 oh fcs Sds ls 1 l/18 s.f., .c. yllw 1-1.5

4 7 rdbck h Blck-d Ss ls 1 l/18 s.f., .c. yllw 3


10/18

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A Shaded Rain Garden Planting Design. Size, 20 x 10

Design template

Native Plant List

1

2

2

2

6 666

666

6

7

7 7

77

7

7

88

8

3

33

3

99

99

99

9

9

9

99

9

9

1111

1111

1111 11

444

44

4

4

4

4

5

5

5

5 5

5

10

10

10

1010

7

7 77

78

Plan View - Shaded Rain Garden Perspective View - Shaded Rain Garden

Key Quantity Latin name Common name Size SpaCing note CoLor HeigHt

treeS

1 1 Ccs cdss rdbd 1-2 cl. pl 20-30SHruBS

2 3 i vc V Sws 2 l. 4 o.c. Wh 4-8

perenniaLS

3 4 as v-l nw eld s ls-1 l. 1 l/24 s.f., .c. Bl/pl 3-4

4 9 Css j tcksd css ls-1 l. 1 l/18 s.f., .c. yllw 3

5 6 Hch c al ls-1 l. 1 l/18 s.f., .c. pk 1

6 8 Lbl cdls g bl lbl ls-1 l. 1 l/18 s.f., .c. r Bl 1.5-3

7 12 Lbl shlc Cdl flw ls-1 l. 1 l/18 s.f., .c. r rd 2-4

8 4 osd c C F ls-1 l. 1 l/24 s.f., .c. r g 3-4

9 13 phlx dvc Bl hlx ls-1 l. 1 l/18 s.f., .c. Bl .5-2

10 5 plsch cschds Chss f ls-1 l. 1 l/24 s.f., .c. ev g 2

11 7 Slh dhll Wd ls-1 l. 1 l/18 s.f., .c. yllw 1.5

DID YOU KNOW:Rain gardens can reduce water temperatures byfve to ten degrees Fahrenheit.

Low Impact Development (LID) Center


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A No Fail Rain Garden. Size, 24 x 10.

Design template

Native Plant List

12

2

2

2

22

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

3

33

33

33

44

4

66

6

66

11

1

5

4

4

4

4 4

4 4

4

4

4

4

6

6

6 6

666

6

6

Plan View - No Fail Rain Garden Perspective View - No Fail Rain Garden

Key Quanitity Latin name Common name Size SpaCing CoLor HeigHt

SHruBS

1 4 i vc V Sws 2 l. 4 Wh 4-82 6 Hbscs schs Sw mllw 2 l. 2.5 rd-Wh 4-7

perenniaLS

3 7 echc pl cflw ls- 1l. 1 l/18 s.f., .c. pl 3-4

4 14 rdbck h Blck-d Ss ls- 1l. 1 l/18 s.f., .c. yllw 3

5 9V

vbcsstll wd ls- 1l. 1 l/2 s.f., .c. pl 4-6

graSSeS & SeDgeS

6 14Chsh

lfluld S os ls- 1l. 1 l/18 s.f., .c. 4

DID YOU KNOW:Rain Gardens are like a sponge. Tey soak upwater, clean pollutants and slowly release itback into the ground.


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Plant List: Native Perennial List or Rain Garden Design

Full Sun

L C S Sc ms Cl Hh

ascls c msh lkwd ls-1l. 1 l/24 .c. W pk 3-4

ascls scs pl lkwd ls-1l. 1 l/18 .c. ms pl 3

ascls sc C lkwd ls-1l. 1 l/18 .c. ms-D o 2-5

ascls bs Bfl lkwd ls-1l. 1 l/18 .c. D-ms o 2

ascls vds g lkwd ls-1l. 1 l/18 .c. ms g 2

ascls vcll Whld lkwd ls-1l. 1 l/18 .c. ms Wh 2.5

as lvs Sh s ls-1l. 1 l/18 .c. ms Bl 2-4

as v-l nw eld s ls-1l. 1 l/24 .c. W-ms Bl 2-5

as scs Slk s ls-1l. 1 l/18 .c. D pl 1-2

Chcs fsccl pd ls-1l. 1 l/18 .c. D yllw 1-2

Ccl cls ms flw ls-1l. 1 l/18 .c. ms-D Bl 1-2Css lcl Lc-lf css ls-1l. 1 l/18 .c. ms-D yllw 6-8

echc lld pl l cflw ls-1l. 1 l/18 .c. D pl 2-3

echc pl cflw ls-1l. 1 l/18 .c. ms-D pl 3-4

e fl Bs ls-1l. 1 l/24 .c. W Wh 3-5

e Sw J-p wd ls-1l. 1 l/24 .c. W-ms pl 3-6

Ls s rh bls ls-1l. 1 l/18 .c. ms-D pl 2-5

Ls cchll Sll-hdd bls ls-1l. 1 l/18 .c. ms-D pl 3

Ls sc Ds bls ls-1l. 1 l/24 .c. W-ms l 1.5

Ls sqls Sh bls ls-1l. 1 l/18 .c. ms-D pl 2-6

Lbl shlc Cdl flw ls-1l. 1 l/18 .c. W-ms rd 2-4

md dd B bl ls-1l. 1 l/24 .c. W-ms d 3

md fsls Wld b ls-1l. 1 l/18 .c. ms pl 1-3

oh fcs Sds ls-1l. 1 l/18 .c. ms-D yllw

ps dlsSh wh

bdls-1l. 1 l/24 .c. W Wh 2-3

ps hss H bd ls-1l. 1 l/18 .c. D Wh 1-3

ps sll Bd ls-1l. 1 l/18 .c. ms pl 1-2

pch -

flSld ls-1l. 1 l/18 .c. ms Wh 1.5-2.5

rbd g-hdd cflw ls-1l. 1 l/18 .c. ms yllw 5-Fb

rdbck h Blck-d Ss ls-1l. 1 l/18 .c. ms-D yllw 3

Slv l L-lf s ls-1l. 1 l/18 .c. ms pl 1-2

Sld ls g ldd ls-1l. 1 l/18 .c. D yllw 2

Sld s rh-lvd ldd ls-1l. 1 l/24 .c. W yllw 1-6

Vcs

vcCulvers root ls-1l. 1 l/24 .c. D Wh 3-6

V vbcss tll wd ls-1l. 1 l/24 .c. W-ms pl 3-4


13/18

13


Native Perennial List or Rain Garden Design (continued)

Sade

L C S Sc ms Cl Hh

aql cdss Wld clb ls-1l. 1 l/18 , .c. ms-D pk 1-2.5

as hll Jck--h-l ls-1 l. 1 l/18 .c. ms g 1.5-2.5

as dc g d ls-1 l. 1 l/18 .c. W-ms g 3

as cds Wld ls-1 l. 1 l/18 .c. W-ms rd-bw .5-1

as cdfls Bl wd s ls-1 l. 1 l/18 .c. ms-D Bl 1-3

as v-l nw eld s ls-1 l. 1 l/24 .c. ms-D Bl/pl 3-4

Css j tcksd css ls-1 l. 1 l/18 .c. ms-D yllw 3

g cl Wld ls-1 l. 1 l/18 .c. ms pk 2

Hch c al ls-1 l. 1 l/18 .c. ms-D pk 1

is cs Dwf csd s ls-1 l. 1 l/18 .c. ms-D pl 4

Lbl cdls g bl lbl ls-1 l. 1 l/18 .c. W-ms Bl 1.5-3Lbl shlc Cdl flw ls-1 l. 1 l/18 .c. W-ms rd 2-4

ms vc V blblls ls-1 l. 1 l/18 .c. ms Bl 1.5

osd c C F ls-1 l. 1 l/24 .c. W-ms g 3-4

phlx dvc Bl hlx ls-1 l. 1 l/18 .c. ms Bl .5-2

pl s Jacobs Ladder ls-1 l. 1 l/18 .c. ms-D Bl 15

plsch cs-

chdsChss f ls-1 l. 1 l/24 .c. ms-D ev 2

Slh dhll Wd ls-1 l. 1 l/18 .c. W-ms yllw 1.5

Grasses & Sedges

Chsh lfl uld S os ls-1l. 1 l/18 .c. ms-D 4

eqs hl Hsl ls-1l. 1 l/18 .c. W 3


14/18

14


Native Shrubs

Latin Name Common Name DT-FT Ligt Moisture Notes Flower Color heigt

a bfl rd Chkb Ft s-. shd d-w rd bs, wldlf Wh 6-12

Bddl dvd Bfl Bsh Dt s- s d-s n-v Bl 5

Cllc c ac Bb Dt s-. shd d-w Shw l f Llc 4-6

Chlhs ccdls B Bsh Ft s-shd s-w acs wldlf Wh 6-12

Clh lfl Sw p Bsh s-. shd d-s Hbds Wh 5-8

Cs Slk Dwd s-shd s-w Bl bs, wldlf Wh 6-12

Cls c ac Hl s-. shd d-s ebl s, wldlf yllw 8-15

Hls v Wch-hl s-. shd d-s W bl yllw 10

Hbscs schs Sw mllw Ft s s-w Cld-hd Wh-rd 4-7

Hd qcfl oklf Hd Dt . shd-shd s Wh 3-6

Hc fds Goldern St. Johns Wort Dt s-. shd d-s S-v yllw 2-3

Hc lfc Shrubby St. Johns Wort Dt s-. shd d-s S-v yllw 3

ilx dcd psshw Vb Dt s-. shd s rd bs 15-20

ilx lb ikb Dt s-. shd s-w ev 4-8

ilx vcll Wb Hll Ft s-. shd s-w rd bs 10

i vc V Sws Dt/Ft s-shd s-w Fll cl Wh 4-8

Ld b Scbsh Dt . shd-shd s-w Bfls, wldlf yllw 6-12

Vb d awwd Vb s-shd d-w Wldlf Wh 6-8

Vb fdl Blckhw Vb Dt s- shd d-s Wldlf Wh 10-15

DT-FTDrought Tolerant-Flood Tolerant

Native Trees

Latin Name Common Name DT-FT Ligt Moisture Notes Flower Color heigt

ac b rd ml Dt-Ft s-shd d-w Fll cl 50-70

ac scch S ml s- shd s Fll cl 50-75

alch cdss Svcb s- shd s-w ebl bs Wh 15-25

as lb pw pw s- shd s ebl fs m 15-30

Bl rv Bch Ft s- shd s-w exfl bk 40-70

Cs cl iwd s- shd s Wh 40-60

Ccs cdss rdbd Dt s-shd s p-lk flws, sd ds pl 20-30

Chhs vcs F s- shd s pcld, f flws Wh 12-20

Clds l yllwwd Dt s d-s Fll cl Wh 30-45

Cs fld Flw Dwd shd s rd f, wldlf Wh 15-30

Fxs slvc g ash Dt-Ft s d-w pl 50-60

ilx c ac Hll Dt s- shd s ev Wh 30-50

Lqdb scfl Sw Dt-Ft s- shd d-s S f 60-100

ml v Swb ml s- shd s-w ev Wh 10-60

oxdd b iwd s- shd d-s Wldlf Wh 20-40

pls ccdls Sc Ft s- shd s Wh ld bk 70-100

Qcs bcl Sw Wh ok Dt s- shd s-w acs 50-60

Qcs shd Shd ok Dt s s acs 40-60

rhs cl Cl Bckh s s Blck f 15-30

Slx Blck Wllw Ft s- shd s-w Wh cks yllw 40-60

DT-FTDrought Tolerant-Flood Toleran


15/18

15


Rain Garden Maintenance

Plant Material Tasks

Check plants or signs o distress such as wilting,

yellow/brown leaves etc. Relocate or amend soil

as needed.

Remove weeds by hand and limit use o herbicides.

Deadhead and clean dead debris rom plants in

early spring beore new growth appears.

Berm TasksAter a heavy rainstorm, check or ailure such as

water going through the berm. Erosion ridges can

lead to ailure. Repair as needed.

Ponding Tasks

I areas do not drain, this indicates the soil pores

have become clogged or the soil may have become

compacted. Soil may need to be replaced or

loosened. Remove excessive accumulated sediment

or debris.

Soil TasksPerorm a pH test as needed or excessive acidity or

alkalinity. Adjust pH with amendments i needed.

The University o Tennessee Soil, Plant and Pest

Center, located at Ellington Agricultural Center

in Nashville will perorm inexpensive soil tests,

recommend amendments and is a great resource

or other questions concerning the health o your

rain garden.

Mulc Tasks

Check regularly to see that mulch has not

washed away.

Add a resh layer o mulch in early spring ater

clean-up.

During the frst several years your plants are getting established and will

need extra maintenance and watering. Ater establishment maintenance

is low. Watering is required during droughts.

http://soilplantandpest.utk.edu/

DEADhEADING - or cutting off blooms after they fade, but

before they go to seed, will generate more blooms and

fuller growth.
http://soilplantandpest.utk.edu/http://soilplantandpest.utk.edu/


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16


Estimating Rain Garden CostsAn important part o planning your Rain Garden is knowing what it will

cost. Rain Gardens o Nashville has provided inormation on average costs

or materials and labor in the Middle Tennessee area or your use. These

prices can vary based on individudal conditions.

item unit aVg. CoSt

eQuipment:

Bckh w/ h $50-$100

Bckh l d $200-$300

SoiL amenDmentS:

6 l f dd sl wh 20-30%

compost for a 20 x 10 rain garden =

1 cbc d

Cs cbc d $30

6 l f dd sl wh 40-60% sd

for a 20 x 10 rain garden = 2 tons

Cs sd w/

dlv

$20-$30

Dlv ch $50

pls wh sll- ll l

cs b 2.5

pLantS:

ts cl ch $100/ch

Shbs 1 l. $15-$25

2 l. $20-$30pls, sss ls $20/fl

4 s $4-$6

1 l. $7-$9

2 cubic yards for 20 x 10 rain garden muLCH:

3 layer of mulch for 20 x 10 rain

garden= 2 cubic yards

Dlvd d slld l s $250

mlch l cbc d $50-$70

Rain Garden Construction Cost comparison

Cost or 10 x 6 Do It Yoursel Rain Garden - $200 - $300 Includes no rental or delivery costs.

Cost or 20 x 10 Do It Yoursel Rain Garden - $750-$900 Includes no rental or delivery costs.

Cost or 20 x 10 Do It Yoursel Rain Garden - $1,200- $1,700 Includes backhoe rental and material delivery

Cost or 20 x 10 Rain Garden constructed by Landscape Contractor - $3,500 - $4,500

For additional cost saving tips contact: [email protected]


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17


Reerences and

Additional Resources:10,000 Rain Gardens. http://www.rainkc.com/

How to build your own rain garden. Mid-America Regional Council.http://www.marc.org/environment/water/pds/raingardens.pd

Rain Garden Design and Construction. Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District.

http://www.airaxcounty.gov/nvswcd/raingardenbk.pd

Rain Garden Design Templates. Low Impact Development Center.http://www.lowimpactdevelopment.org/raingarden_design/whatisaraingarden.htm

Rain Garden Handbook or Western Washington Homeowners. Washington State University.

http://pierce.wsu.edu/Lid/raingarden/Raingarden_handbook.pd

Rain Gardens: A Do-It-Yoursel Guide or Homeowners in Middle Tennessee. Patty Ghertner.

http://www.cumberlandrivercompact.org/pd/raingardenguide12109.pd

Rain Gardens: A How-to manual or homeowners. Wisconsin Department o Natural Resources.http://dnr.wi.gov/runo/pd/rg/rgmanual.pd

Rain Gardens or Home Landscapes. Clean Water Campaign, Atlanta, GA.http://www.cleanwatercampaign.com/iles/rain_garden_brochure.pd

Rain Gardens Technical Guide. Virginia Dept o Forestry.http://www.do.virginia.gov/mgt/resources/pub-Rain-Garden-Tech-Guide_2008-05.pd

Start-To-Finish Rain Garden Design: A Workbook or Homeowners.

Faribault County Soil & water Conservation District.http://www.aribaultcountyswcd.com/FileLib/Rain%20Garden%20Design%20Templates.pd

Three Rivers Garden Alliance. http://raingardenalliance.org/

Special thanks to Mekayle Houghton o the Cumberland River Compact or her assistance creating thisGuide and to Dodd Galbreath o Lipscomb University or his helpul comments.

This Guide was produced by Ashworth Environmental Design, LLC.
http://www.rainkc.com/http://www.marc.org/environment/water/pdfs/raingardens.pdfhttp://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/nvswcd/raingardenbk.pdfhttp://www.lowimpactdevelopment.org/raingarden_design/whatisaraingarden.htmhttp://pierce.wsu.edu/Lid/raingarden/Raingarden_handbook.pdfhttp://www.cumberlandrivercompact.org/pdf/raingardenguide12109.pdfhttp://dnr.wi.gov/runoff/pdf/rg/rgmanual.pdfhttp://www.cleanwatercampaign.com/files/rain_garden_brochure.pdfhttp://www.dof.virginia.gov/mgt/resources/pub-Rain-Garden-Tech-Guide_2008-05.pdfhttp://www.faribaultcountyswcd.com/FileLib/Rain%20Garden%20Design%20Templates.pdfhttp://raingardenalliance.org/http://raingardenalliance.org/http://www.faribaultcountyswcd.com/FileLib/Rain%20Garden%20Design%20Templates.pdfhttp://www.dof.virginia.gov/mgt/resources/pub-Rain-Garden-Tech-Guide_2008-05.pdfhttp://www.cleanwatercampaign.com/files/rain_garden_brochure.pdfhttp://dnr.wi.gov/runoff/pdf/rg/rgmanual.pdfhttp://www.cumberlandrivercompact.org/pdf/raingardenguide12109.pdfhttp://pierce.wsu.edu/Lid/raingarden/Raingarden_handbook.pdfhttp://www.lowimpactdevelopment.org/raingarden_design/whatisaraingarden.htmhttp://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/nvswcd/raingardenbk.pdfhttp://www.marc.org/environment/water/pdfs/raingardens.pdfhttp://www.rainkc.com/


18/18

Metro Water Services is in the process o complying with all appropriate Americans with

Disabilities Act Guidelines. For additional inormation contact Joseph A. Estes, Sr., 1600 2nd

Avenue North, Nashville, TN 37208-2206; telephone 615 862 4862.

Please contact Metro Water Services Stormwater NPDES Department (www.nashville.gov/stormwater)

with any comments or questions: 615.880.2420

Rain Gardens or Nashville was created through a water quality partnership between the Nashville District

o the US Army Corps o Engineers and the Metropolitan Government o Nashville and Davidson Countys

Department o Water and Sewerage Services.

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