Extension Report

Baldwin County Extension Office

302A Byrne Street

Bay Minette, AL  36507

Telephone (251) 937-7176 or

928-3002/943-5061 ext. 2222

FAX (251) 937-7285

Mike McQueen

Regional Extension Agent

Home Grounds, Gardens & Home Pests

August 18, 2009

Rain Gardens Beautify,

While Protecting the Environment

This year rain has been on our minds – either too much or too little. Except for the occasional rain dance, we can’t do much about where the rain falls, but we can do a great deal in determining where the rain goes. Have you ever looked across the landscape and noticed how many hard surfaces you see? There are rooftops, driveways, streets, sidewalks, and massive parking lots. When areas are paved and roofed, we take areas that use to absorb rainwater and turn them into funnels. Just watch your downspouts. Even with a light rain, the water gushes out. We all like not having to walk around in the mud, but by creating hard surfaces we change the flow of rainwater. Rain gardens are one solution used to collect the water from these hard surfaces.

What is a rain garden? Rain gardens are storm water drainage areas that temporarily store rainwater until it can be filtered into the soil. Rain gardens: will reduce flooding, will protect local streams and lakes from storm water pollutants, will increase the amount of water that is absorbed into the soil to recharge groundwater, and will provide beauty and wildlife habitat.

Rain gardens are not ponds. They are not designed to hold water permanently. Instead, they fill after a rain and water is slowly absorbed in to the soil over a couple of hours. The area dries between rains eliminating problems with mosquitoes. Mosquitoes are more likely to be a problem in bird baths, storm sewers, tires, and kiddy pools than in rain gardens. If the water in a rain garden remains more than a couple of days, “mosquito dunks”, which contain a safe bacterial agent that kills only mosquito larvae, can be used to control mosquitoes.

How can I make a rain garden? A rain garden can be made by following these recommendations:

The size of the rain garden should be about 1/3 of the area that it is serving. Individual gutters and downspouts service only part of the roof. For example: a roof area of 200 square feet would need a 70 square foot rain garden or 10 X 7 foot shaped to fit your landscape.

-Select plants suitable for rain gardens. Here are a few good rain garden plants: River Birch, Red Bud, Oak leafed Hydrangea, Purple Cone Flower, and Blue Flag Iris. More rain garden plants can be found at .

-Be sure to call Alabama 1 Call toll free at 811 before you dig.

-The rain garden should be located at least ten feet away from your house to keep water from leaching into the foundation.

-The rain garden should be placed down slope of a downspout. The slope should be less than 12%.

-The rain garden should be perpendicular to the the water flow or runoff.

-Rain gardens should not be placed directly over septic systems.

-Rain gardens should be located in full to partial sun.

-Dig a depression 6 to 8 inches deep. Some areas may have to be deeper to make the garden level. Make a small berm on the down slope from the rain garden to lessen the chance of overflow.

-Water from downspouts can be directed to the rain garden by burying a 4 inch plastic drainpipe or digging a slight depression between the slopes.

-Plant plants and mulch with wood chips. Keep watered until plants are established.

Additional information about rain gardens is available from the Alabama State Water Program at:   .

Want to Become a Master Gardener?

The Alabama Master Gardener Volunteer Training Program provides more than 50 hours of classroom and hands-on instruction in horticulture and related areas.

To become a certified Master Gardener, one must  return at least 50 hours of approved Master Gardener volunteer service. Examples include assisting Extension Agents, answering gardening related phone calls, writing fact sheets or gardening columns for local newspapers, speaking to garden clubs or civic organizations, assisting with the next Master Gardener class, working on special projects within your community or city, or pursuing your own project ideas.

If becoming a Master Gardener and volunteer of the Alabama Cooperative Extension System is right for you, don’t hesitate to apply. Applications are available on the web at:  .

The next Master Gardener Volunteer Training will begin January 27, 2010. For information about submitting your Master Gardener Training Program applications, contact the Baldwin County Extension office at (251) 937-7176 or 943-5611/928-0860 ext. 2222.

Email address: mcquegj@aces.edu

Phone number: 937-7176 or 943-5611, 928-0860, ext. 2222

The Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M and Auburn Universities) in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture is an equal opportunity educator and employer.