Building a Rain Garden

The steps below will give you a good start if you plan to build your own residential rain garden.

  1. Find a location
  2. Measure drainage area
  3. Create a design
  4. Choose the plants
  5. Layout the garden
  6. Dig the garden
  7. Prepare the soil
  8. Plant the flowers & grasses
  9. Mulch the garden
10. Water and arrange downspouts

5). Layout the garden - Layout the shape and boundary of the garden based on the dimensions you calculated in measure drainage area with a hose or a rope. Use stakes and twine to make the layout more permanent if you don’t plan on digging the garden immediately or spray the border with white spray paint.

Before you start digging contact your local (usually non-profit) organization that locates underground utilities.

This needs to be done so you don’t accidentally dig up any of these utilities. They usually ask that call them at least 2 working days before you start digging.

Locate underground utilities