For More Information C♦ USDA Natural Resources C♦ Soil and Water Conservatio♦ Land Grant Universities an

Extension Service 

♦ Local Greenhouses and Nu

References and Additi“Living Landscapes in Minn

NATIVE PLANTSCAPING” Available 

offices. Booklet contains detailed infoevaluation, planning, and estaplants. Adapted forbs, grasseare listed and described. “Rain Gardens - A how-to mhomeowners” http://www.dnr.wisconsin.gov/orshore/documents/rgmanual.pdfThis is an easy to follow manuhomeowners how to plan, insrain garden. “Rain Gardens, Rice Creek Watershed Disthttp://www.ricecreek.orgThis Minnesota web site has icreating and planting rain garvery effective plant selector toMaplewood, Minnesota “Rahttp://www.ci.maplewood.mn.usType=B_BASIC&SEC=%7BF2C03F79819643C2A%7DThe rain garden program at Mexplained. Pictures and desiggarden types are included. Lidocument give complete detathrough maintenance. Note: When using these refeplant species adapted to your 

Buried pipes and cabCheck with a utility location serphone, or cable suppliers to locamay be affected by constructionties are quite shallow and easily shovel, causing death or injury. 

CHECK BEFORE D

Figure 5. For much of the summer in the Great Plains, a rain garden might be the only “green” area in a non-irrigated yard. 

Use potted or bare root plants rather than seeds. Plant from April to September. Place the more water tolerant species near the bottom, and drought tolerant near the edges. Plant spacing will vary depending upon species and desired appearance. Generally, 15-18 inches between plants is adequate. Consider mature size when spacing plants.

All programs and services are offered on a 

5 6 7 

Plant Rain gardens to native species of flowers, grasses, shrubs, and trees. Do not plant species considered invasive. Consider the growth habit and mature size of the species. Some native species are deep rooting and encourage infiltration of runoff water. Native species are adapted to local conditions and may be more tolerant of diseases and drought, compared to some non-native species. A diversity of plant species will provide an array of color and texture, and attract a variety of insects and wildlife. Disease and insects may destroy an entire rain garden if planted to a single species. Plants requiring constant moisture should not be planted in a rain garden. Use locally adapted species and varieties. 

What to Plant in a Rain Garden 

Locate a rain garden to intercept runoff from roofs, yards, drives, or streets. (Figure 2) It should not 

be built within 10 feet of foundation walls or on poorly drained sites. A rain garden should not be built over buried utilities or where mature plants could obstruct overhead utilities or drivers’ vision. Do not construct a rain garden where prohibited by local ordinances or where subject to disturbance. 

Where to Establish a Rain Garden 

Most rain gardens can be constructed with equipment available to homeowners such as shovels, rakes, and rototillers. A small rain garden of simple design can be built in a day. • Do your homework first. Many design manuals 

are available for review and study, online and at public offices. Several are listed in the reference section of this publication. 

• Locate a proper site. • Calculate square footage draining to the rain 

garden (from roof, yard, drive, etc.). 

• Mark outline of rain garden with rope, paint, or 

flags. Rain garden area should equal about 10% of the drainage area. Irregular margins are often more attractive. (Figure 3)

• Evaluate soil compaction, texture, and 

infiltration. 

• Dig a 4-8 inch deep basin with a flat bottom. 

Excavated material can be placed on the downhill side or moved offsite. (Figure 4) Loosen 6-12 inches of the natural soil below the bottom of the rain garden. Avoid compaction during construction. Large designs or sites with high clay content soils may require over-digging the basin 1-2 feet deep, backfilling with a well blended mix of 70% sand and 30% organic matter (yard compost, purchased peat moss, etc.), and shaping the top of this material into a 4-8 inch deep basin. 

• Slope and pack any created berms, leaving a 

gentle slope that will be easy to maintain. 

• Smooth, seed berm, and plant the rain garden. • Apply shredded wood mulch as desired to 

conserve water and control weeds. Shredded mulch stays in place better than wood chips. 

• Water and weed to establish plants.

How to Build a Rain Garden 

Very little additional water or weeding is needed once a rain garden is established. Supplemental water is usually needed only to establish plants and during drought. Apply and renew mulch as needed to control weeds and conserve water. Leave vegetation standing over winter for snow catch, textural diversity, and visual interest. In early spring, remove previous year’s growth by mowing or clipping before new growth initiates.

How to Maintain a Rain Garden 

How to Plant a Rain Garden 

Checking depth with a carpenter’s level 

April 2009 

Content provided by

 Craig Stange, Forester, Ecologic

 Nancy Jensen, Agronomist, Plan

 USDA-NRCS, Bismarck, N
Figure 3. Plan View of Rain Gard

Buried downspout extension from building 

Shredded wood mulch 

Perennial plants 

Figure 2. A new rain garden captures roof and yard runoff from a 1/2 inch, 15-minute prairie thunder storm in July. Note the drought stressed yard outside the rain garden. 

Figure 1. July 27, 2006 - A 200-square foot rain garden blooms just 2 months after construction and planting. 

1 2 3 

What is a Rain Garden 

A rain garden is a colorful, perennial planting designed to soak up and use rain water that may otherwise run off. (Figure 1) It is a garden in a 

shallow depression. It can be large or small. It is not a wetland and should not hold water for more than a few hours, or a day at most. It is not a breeding ground for mosquitoes. A Rain Garden ♦ Captures and filters runoff Limited rains of the Great Plains fall hard and fast. Runoff from roofs, lawns, and drives may overload storm sewers and pollute streams. (Figure 2) 

♦ Reduces the need for supplemental water Water is often limited in the Great Plains. Rural and municipal water can be costly for maintaining a green and colorful yard. ♦ Grows healthy plants using good water Rain is high quality water, good for plants; while well water may be poor for plant health. ♦ Provides changing colors and textures A mix of plants changes color, structure, shape, and form throughout the season. (Figure 5) 

Why Plant a Rain Garden 

Optional - Well-ble70% sand, 30% ormatter to a 6-24” d

Same grass as rest of lawn 

Natural ground inlet and overflow. Surplus water should bypass rain garden on natural ground, not over berms. 

Figure 4. Cross-section of Rain G

Splash block or rocks 

♦ Provides habitat Forbs and grasses in a rain garden are attractive to butterflies, bees, birds, and other wildlife.