# Presentation: 481922

## Ecological Landscaping Network

## Master Plan – 

- Master Plan –
-           Front Lot

*A Master Plan Study for:*
- Tolland County Agricultural Center
- Vernon, Connecticut

*A vision for ****Tolland County Agricultural Center**** site**	****Ecological Landscaping Network***
- This document is being developed by Associate Professor Peter Miniutti, in conjunction with the Ecological Landscaping Networks as part of his responsibility to the Program of Landscape Architecture at the University of Connecticut. Please contact Peter at _[peter.miniutti@uconn.edu](mailto:peter.miniutti@uconn.edu)_ with any suggestions, comments, or concerns regarding this study.

- Rain Garden Location

## Slide 3

**Notes:**
The site was chosen because of its sunny location, its proximity to roof rain water, there were no buried utilities, the slope was gentle, the soils were adequate and many visitors would see the demo while using the pavilion.  The soil type, determined by a soil test, helped determine the design depth of the rain garden.  A perk test was done to determine whether the existing soil would be sufficient for infiltration of diverted rain water. 

## Slide 4

**Notes:**
The size of the rain garden was determine by the amount of rain water planned for the garden. The shape was determined by aesthetic preference and ease of mowing around the garden. (Note that there is no foundation under the pavilion so the rain garden can be closer than 20 feet to the building without a concern of creating a wet basement.)

## Slide 5

**Notes:**
A mark was made on the center stake showing where ground level was before excavation. This mark helped in measuring to ensure proper depth during excavation.

## Slide 6

**Notes:**
Excavation of 9 ft x 7 ft x 10 inches took a few hours to complete. Soil was used elsewhere on the site.

## Slide 7

**Notes:**
Gutters and downspouts were installed to divert rain water from roof. A hack saw was used to cut the aluminum downspout.

## Slide 8

**Notes:**
Gutters needed to drop 1⁄4 inch every 10 ft.

## Slide 9

**Notes:**
Brackets were used to fasten downspouts securely to posts.

## Slide 10

**Notes:**
A flexible downspout was attached with self-tapping sheet metal screws and directed into the garden.

## Slide 11

**Notes:**
A flat shovel and a 2 ft long carpenter’s level were used to create a level bottom in the garden.

## Slide 12

**Notes:**
A 4 ft long carpenter’s level was used to check for a level bottom.

## Slide 13

**Notes:**
A string tied on the center stake at the mark indicating original ground elevation was used for measuring to ensure that the minimum design depth was maintained throughout the garden.

## Slide 14

**Notes:**
3 inches were allotted for planting material and mulch.  Excavation was deeper on the uphill side of the garden and a berm was needed on the down hill side to keep cuts and fills as minimal as possible.

## Slide 15

**Notes:**
A berm built on the downhill side allows for proper depth without having to dig excessively deep on the uphill side.

## Slide 16

**Notes:**
Rain water was kept out of garden to prevent soil erosion and to avoid having wet soils during planting.  Planting in wet soils can destroy the structure of the soil and effect infiltration.

## Slide 17

**Notes:**
Plants were obtained and compost added to the planting bed.

## Slide 18

**Notes:**
Compost was added to garden bottom and depth was checked. 

## Slide 19

**Notes:**
The planting plan was explained to volunteers. 

## Slide 20

**Notes:**
Plants were placed.

## Slide 21

**Notes:**
Plants were planted.

## Slide 22

**Notes:**
Plants were planted.

## Slide 23

**Notes:**
Plantings were added next to the building for aesthetics.

## Slide 24

**Notes:**
Only half the garden was planted to show workshop participants the process.

## Slide 25

**Notes:**
Workshops participants learned how the garden was designed and constructed.

## Slide 26

**Notes:**
Workshop participants practiced how to determine soil types.

## Slide 27

**Notes:**
The rest of the garden was planted and the banks were seeded with grass seed.

## Slide 28

**Notes:**
The rain garden was completed on May 1, 2004.

## Slide 29

**Notes:**
The rain garden in June 2004 ( 1 month later).

## Slide 30

**Notes:**
Plants were monitored and maintenance was minimal.

## Slide 31

**Notes:**
Rock was added at the downspout outlet to slow down the rain water and to prevent soil erosion.

## Slide 32

**Notes:**
One month’s growth.

## Slide 33

**Notes:**
Some weeds were removed after 2 months.

## Slide 34

**Notes:**
Plants started to bloom in July (2 months growth)

## Slide 35

**Notes:**
Early July 2004

## Slide 36

**Notes:**
Late July 2004

## Slide 37

**Notes:**
July 2005

## Slide 38

**Notes:**
July 2005, the middle of the 2nd growing season.