Large Rain Garden Installation Guide

For community greenspaces, schools, business parks, churches, and other facilities with large drainage areas.

  • Choose a Location(JPG, 38KB)

    Choose a Location

    In this case, the rain garden is in a community greenspace, 30 feet in front of a concrete culvert, which drains the parking lot above.


  • Remove the Sod(JPG, 61KB)

    Remove the Sod

    The sod can be used elsewhere on your property.


  • Remove Excess Soil(JPG, 66KB) Remove Excess Soil(JPG, 49KB)

    Remove Excess Soil

    Since there is so much excess soil to remove, most of the soil will have to be hauled off to a disposal facility. A small fraction of the excess soil will be used to create the berm.


  • Create a Berm(JPG, 61KB) Create a Berm(JPG, 83KB)

    Create a Berm

    Soil should be bermed on the lower side of the rain garden to stop water from exiting the garden and allowing the water to soak into the soil.


  • Add Soil Amendments(JPG, 73KB)

    Add Soil Amendments

    The amount of amendments will depend on the size of your garden. When finished adding sand, compost, and/or manure, there should be a distance of approximately 5-6 inches from the surface of the surrounding land. This space allows for 2-3 inches of mulch and extra water holding capacity.


  • Till in Soil Amendments(JPG, 80KB)

    Till in Soil Amendments


  • Spot the Plants(JPG, 43KB)

    Spot the Plants

    Before digging and planting, place the plants in the location you want them to be.


  • Plant(JPG, 76KB)

    Plant


  • Finish(JPG, 53KB)

    Finish

    Cover with a 2-3 inch layer of shredded hardwood mulch.