Photo Galleries
Rain Garden Washington NH 2014
Queen of the Prairie (Filipendula rubra "Venusta") blooming in the rain garden at the Camp Morgan Community Center, Washington, NH. This rain garden was the result of a presentation to the the Millen Pond Watershed Association.
After a presentation about why it's so important to soak up the rain, Millen Pond Lake Association members head out to learn how to install a rain garden.
Some of the sod is put aside for building a berm to create a level edge for the garden. This creates the bowl shape to hold rain water and allow it to slowly soak in.
Three downspouts are extended under ground to bring water from the roof into the garden.
After digging out the rain garden shape, compost is added and mixed with the native soil to create a planting bed to nourish the plants.
Because the area slopes down along the building, a stone wall is built at one end and a berm is needed to make the garden edges level.
After the planting bed is prepared, the rain garden is leveled again.
The plant are put in place before planting to ensure proper spacing and eye appeal.
Planting, watering, and mulching.
Blue flag irises are planted around the stone apron at the downspout. These hardy plants stand up well to the flowing water.
A 3" layer of mulch is applied to retain moisture and for weed control.
Hardworking volunteers were the key to a successful installation!
An apron of three quarter inch stone (bottom of photo) is placed at the downspouts to help the rain water disperse as it enters the garden.
An overflow outlet is built with 3/4" drainage stone to allow the rain garden to overflow in a controlled way.
The finished garden. Like any garden, the Camp Morgan rain garden needs watering until the plants are well established.
Another look at the garden.
The Soak Up the Rain program is committed to empowering people to protect the water quality in their community's water bodies.
Six weeks later, the plants are blooming and looking great. This is Queen of the Prairie.
The purple asters just beginning to bloom!
Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) is a great rain garden plant.
White coneflower (Echinacea purpurea White Swan) and Joe Pye weed (Eupatorium maculatum Gateway) are hardy, native rain garden plants.