Presented by:

David Dods

URS

Overland Park, Kansas

How to Build a Rain Garden

for Residential Yards

1. Locating the garden

2. Testing site soils & sizing the garden

3. Preparing the garden bed

4. Planting zones

5. Inlets & outlets

6. Finishing touches

How to Build a Rain Garden

for Residential Yards

Photo: David Dods

Using Native Soils

(Preferred)

With Engineered Soils

and an Underdrain

Planting Beds -

Two Approaches

Illustrations: Dan Shaw; Barr Engineering

Rain Garden ConstructionUsing Native Soils

Photos: David Dods; Rusty Schmidt

Locating the Garden

Photo: David Dods, URS

• Downspouts

• Driveways

• Sump pump outlets

• Drainageways

• ~10 – 20 ft away from

buildings

Places to Avoid

Photo: David Dods

Utilities, Septic Systems

Uphill of Buildings on Slopes

Behind Structural Retaining Walls if Not Designed for Water/Drainage

Testing Site Soils

Photo: David Dods, URS

• Inspect site soils.

Dig a hole. Look for

soil type, fill

material,

compaction

• Conduct a

Percolation Test

Percolation

Test

Illustration:

Marjorie Vigoren, City of Plymouth, MN

Source: The Blue Thumb Guide to Raingardens,

by Schmidt, Shaw, & Dods

How much

water soaks in

over 24 hours?

Sizing the Garden

Photograph: Rusty Schmidt

• For residential

yards, the bed depth

is more important

than the area

• Average size:

~About 6’ x 8’ near

one downspout

• Fit it to your

landscaping

Preparing the Garden Bed

Photos: Carla Dods; Rusty Schmidt

• Rototill or double-dig

• Over-dig clay soils

• Amend with compost

Shape & Depth

of the Garden

Illustration: Dan Shaw, Waterdrop Innovations LLC

Pool Depth

Minnetonka

near Shady Oak Lake

Photo courtesy of Washington Conservation District

Bed is dug down

Downhill edge is raised upPhotos: Shawn Tracy; David Dods

Rain Garden Planting Zones

Illustration: Dan Shaw, Waterdrop Innovations

Edges: Dry

Sides: Average

Bottom: Moist

Source: The Blue Thumb Guide to Raingardens, by Schmidt, Shaw, & Dods

Rain Gardens are not Wetlands or Water Gardens

• Designed to Infiltrate Water in 1 – 1 ½ Day

• Large plant selection

• No mosquitoes

• Tolerates spring rains & summer drought

Improving Infiltration:Its in the Roots

Root Depths

Turf Grass: Inches

Native Grasses & Wildflowers: Feet

Turf

Grass Native Grass

Photos: David Dods, URS

Re-test Infiltration Before

Planting the Garden

Photograph: Rusty Schmidt

Planting:

Include Cute Kids for Photos

Photo: Lynn Hinkle, Astra Communications

Mulch

Use Coarse, Double-

Shredded Hardwood

Pinebark Nuggets &

Cedar Chips Float

Photos: David Dods

Getting Water to the Garden

Downspout Extensions

Photos: Kurt Leuthold, Barr Engineering; Rusty Schmidt

Scupper Rain Chain

Creek Bed

Photos: Rusty Schmidt

Pipe

Outlets

Photos: David Dods

Make sure the

water overflows

where you want it

to go during large

storms

Minnetonka

near Shady Oak Lake

Outlet at End of Berm

Minnetonka

near Shady Oak Lake

Outlet at End of Berm

Finishing TouchesMake the Garden Look Deliberate

Photo: David Dods

Edging

Outlet

Roy

the

Cat Inlet Splash

Blocks

Accents

Borders and Edging:Make the Garden Look Deliberate

Photos: David Dods, URS; Barr Engineering

Care & Maintenance

First Growing Season

• Limit standing water while plants are small

• Water during dry periods

• Pull weeds

Photograph: Rusty Schmidt, URS

Existing Garden Bed

Photos: Shawn Tracy

Example Garden

berm

depression

Overflow (overland)

Photos: Shawn Tracy

Berm (w/ erosion-

control blanket)

Depression (w/ compost)

Photos: Shawn Tracy

Berm

Depression

Photos: Shawn Tracy

Photos: Shawn Tracy

Questions

?

Photo: Washington Conservation District, Stillwater, MN

David Dods

URS

8300 College Boulevard, Suite 200

Overland Park, Kansas 66210

913-344-1022

david_dods@urscorp.com