Overland Park KS Rain Garden Manual

1. How to Build a Rain Garden
for Residential Yards
Presented by:
David Dods
URS
Overland Park, Kansas

2. 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
Photo: David Dods

3. Planting Beds -
Two Approaches
Using Native Soils
(Preferred)
With Engineered Soils
and an Underdrain
Illustrations: Dan Shaw; Barr Engineering

4. Rain Garden Construction
Using Native Soils
Photos: David Dods; Rusty Schmidt

5. Locating the Garden
• Downspouts
• Driveways
• Sump pump outlets
• Drainageways
• ~10 – 20 ft away from
buildings
Photo: David Dods, URS

6. Places to Avoid
Utilities, Septic
Systems
Uphill of
Buildings on
Slopes
Behind Structural
Retaining Walls if
Not Designed for
Water/Drainage
Photo: David Dods

7. Testing Site Soils
• Inspect site soils.
Dig a hole. Look for
soil type, fill
material,
compaction
• Conduct a
Percolation Test
Photo: David Dods, URS

8. Percolation
Test
How much
water soaks in
over 24 hours?
Illustration:
Marjorie Vigoren, City of Plymouth, MN
Source: The Blue Thumb Guide to Raingardens,
by Schmidt, Shaw, & Dods

9. Sizing the Garden
• 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
Photograph: Rusty Schmidt

10. Preparing the Garden Bed
• Rototill or double-dig
• Over-dig clay soils
• Amend with compost
Photos: Carla Dods; Rusty Schmidt

11. Shape & Depth
of the Garden
Pool Depth
Illustration: Dan Shaw, Waterdrop Innovations LLC

12. Minnetonka
near Shady Oak Lake
Photo courtesy of Washington Conservation District

13. Bed is dug down
Downhill edge is raised up
Photos: Shawn Tracy; David Dods

14. Rain Garden Planting Zones
Edges: Dry
Sides: Average
Bottom: Moist
Illustration: Dan Shaw, Waterdrop Innovations
Source: The Blue Thumb Guide to Raingardens, by Schmidt, Shaw, & Dods

15. 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

16. Improving Infiltration:
Its in the Roots
Turf
Grass Native Grass
Root Depths
Turf Grass: Inches
Native Grasses & Wildflowers: Feet
Photos: David Dods, URS

17. Re-test Infiltration Before
Planting the Garden
Photograph: Rusty Schmidt

18. Planting:
Include Cute Kids for Photos
Photo: Lynn Hinkle, Astra Communications

19. Mulch
Use Coarse, Double-
Shredded Hardwood
Pinebark Nuggets &
Cedar Chips Float
Photos: David Dods

20. Getting Water to the Garden
Downspout Extensions

21. Scupper Rain Chain
Photos: Kurt Leuthold, Barr Engineering; Rusty Schmidt

22. Pipe Creek Bed
Photos: Rusty Schmidt

23. Outlets
Make sure the
water overflows
where you want it
to go during large
storms
Photos: David Dods

24. Outlet at End of Berm Minnetonka
near Shady Oak Lake

25. Outlet at End of Berm Minnetonka
near Shady Oak Lake

26. Finishing Touches
Make the Garden Look Deliberate
Roy
the
Cat Inlet Splash
Blocks
Edging
Accents
Outlet
Photo: David Dods

27. Borders and Edging:
Make the Garden Look Deliberate
Photos: David Dods, URS; Barr Engineering

28. Care & Maintenance
First Growing Season
• Limit standing
water while plants
are small
• Water during dry
periods
• Pull weeds
Photograph: Rusty Schmidt, URS

29. Example Garden
Existing Garden Bed
Photos: Shawn Tracy

30. Overflow
(overland)
depression
berm
Photos: Shawn Tracy

31. Depression
(w/ compost) Berm (w/ erosion-
control blanket)
Photos: Shawn Tracy

32. Depression
Berm
Photos: Shawn Tracy

33. Photos: Shawn Tracy

34. Questions
?
David Dods
URS
8300 College Boulevard, Suite 200
Overland Park, Kansas 66210
913-344-1022
david_dods@urscorp.com
Photo: Washington Conservation District, Stillwater, MN