Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District
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  • Home
  • About
    • About >
      • Staff & Supervisors
    • Donate/Affiliate Membership
    • Jobs & Internships
    • Newsletter >
      • News articles
    • Volunteer Opportunities
    • Strategic Plan
  • Programs & Services
    • Ag Stewardship >
      • Agriculture Resources
    • Cover Crop Seed Program
    • Drainage
    • Financial Assistance/Cost Share Programs >
      • Invasives Cost Share
      • Landscape Callery Pear Removal Grants
    • Invasive Species >
      • Invasive Trade In Program
      • Landscape Callery Pear Removal Grants
      • Hamilton County Invasives Partnership
    • Map Resources
    • Spring Native Plant Kit Sale
    • Fall Native Sale
    • Rain Barrel Info & Sales
    • Rule 5 Submission
    • Soil Is Alive: Soil Health Trailer
    • Soil Maps & Surveys
    • Soil Testing
    • Stony Creek Feasibility Study
    • Photo Contest
    • Report a Polluter
    • Tool Loan Program
    • Video Resources
    • Water Resources >
      • Well Capping
      • Well Water Testing
  • Urban Conservation
    • Backyard Conservation
    • Landscape with natives
    • Urban Agriculture >
      • Micro-Irrigation
      • Donate Your Vegetables
      • Garden Resources
    • Creating and Maintaining a Prairie
    • Restoring HOA Native Landscapes
    • Stormwater Landscape Maintenance Training
    • Rain Garden Info
    • Seed pack
    • Tree Info
    • Where to buy native plants & seed
  • Events
    • Workshops & Events
    • Rain on Main
    • Pay Dirt Hamilton County
    • Past events & recordings
  • Online Store

Rain Gardens

Picture
Adapted from illustration by Doug Adamson

Rain Garden Info

What is a rain garden?
A rain garden is a shallow depression (typically 6-8 inches deep) in your yard that is planted with native wildflowers and grasses. This popular type of perennial garden is strategically located to capture runoff from impervious surfaces such as roofs, driveways, and patios. The garden holds water allowing it to infiltrate into the ground, then dries up in 24-48 hours. You can think of a rain garden as a bowl shaped native landscape bed. 
 
Why install a rain garden?
Rain gardens are not just landscape features-- they absorb water and pollutants, reduce runoff, protect water quality, and prevent flooding. A rain garden on your property helps prevent stormwater pollution. Rain gardens absorb hundreds of gallons of rainwater that would otherwise wash pollutants from your lawn and roof down the street into the nearest pond, river, stream or lake. Even small rain gardens can absorb a lot of rain water!
 
MG seminar presentation slides
Picture
Rain gardens capture and hold rainwater temporarily, allowing it to infiltrate back into the ground instead of running off into storm drains.
Rain Gardens for Homeowners Booklet
Click the zoom button (magnifying glass with+) or full page icon (empty box) to enlarge the booklet.
Download the booklet here (PDF)
Print copies of this booklet are available at the SWCD office.

Helpful Resources and links:

BYC Rain Garden Info Sheet (PDF)
Clear Choices, Clean Water Rain Gardens  (Planting plans, info, etc.)
The Blue Thumb Guide to Raingardens: Design and Installation for Homeowners in the Upper Midwest Book (online) *Free check out from our lending library
​

Blue Thumb Web Page (videos, etc.)
Blue Thumb Rain Garden Interactive Plant Finder
City of Indianapolis Rain Garden Info (tips, planting plans, suppliers, contractors, etc.)
Residential Rain Garden Maintenance Guide- City of Indianapolis
Tips for Rain Gardens in Clay Soils (PDF)

Great Step by Step Guides:
Rain Garden App - Start to Finish Rain Garden builder
Start-to-Finish Rain Garden Design: A Workbook for Homeowners
Build Your Own Rain Garden Guide
Where do I get plants for my rain garden?
Visit our "Where to purchase native plants" page for more info on sources plants for your rain garden!

Keep an eye on our cost share programs, for financial assistance with conservation-related projects!
BYC Cost Share


Purdue Extension Rain Garden Installation Videos

Your SWCD

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