Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District
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  • Home
    • About >
      • Staff & Supervisors
      • Strategic Plan
      • COVID-19
    • Contractor List
    • Donate/Affiliate Membership
    • Jobs & Internships
    • Volunteer Opportunities
    • Newsletter >
      • News articles
    • Community Hero- Emergency
  • Programs & Services
    • Ag Stewardship/INfield Advantage
    • Cost Share Programs
    • Invasive Species >
      • Hamilton County Invasives Partnership (HIP) >
        • HIP Past Mtg. Notes
      • Weed Wrangles & Volunteer Opportunities
    • Map Resources
    • Native Plant Sale
    • Native Tree Sale
    • Rain Barrel Info & Sales >
      • Noblesville Rain Barrel Program
    • Soil Maps & Surveys
    • Soil Testing
    • Outdoor Lab Grants
    • Photo Contest
    • Well Capping
    • Well Water Testing
    • Report a Polluter
    • Tool Loan Program
    • Video Resources
    • Stony Creek Feasibility Study
  • Urban Conservation
    • Backyard Conservation
    • Urban Agriculture >
      • COVID-19 Garden Vegetable Donation Guidelines
      • Donate Your Vegetables
      • Garden Resources
    • Financial Assistance/Cost Share >
      • BYC Cost Share
      • Heartland Backyard Conservation Program & Cost Share
    • Pollinator/Native Garden Info >
      • Site prep
    • Rain Garden Info
    • Seed pack
    • Tree Info
    • Where to buy native plants
  • Rule 5 Submission
  • Events
    • Workshops & Events
    • Envirothon >
      • Past Resources
    • Rain on Main
    • Sustainability Workshop
    • Water Fair
    • Past events
  • Online Store

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!
 
Picture
Adapted from illustration by Doug Adamson
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)
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:
Start-to-Finish Rain Garden Design: A Workbook for Homeowners
Build Your Own Rain Garden Guide
Free assistance is available to help you with your rain garden!
Contact Claire Lane at claire.lane@hamiltoncounty.in.gov
or 317-773-2181 for more info!

Purdue Extension Rain Garden Installation Videos

Part 1
Part 2
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!

Learn about financial assistance to help with creating a rain garden!
BYC Cost Share
City of Carmel Stormwater Board Residential Cost Share Incentives

Your SWCD

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soil.water@hamiltoncounty.in.gov
317.773.2181
1717 Pleasant St. Suite 100
Noblesville, IN 46060
Established in 1968
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