The StreamCare program has been amazing at enhancing the wildlife on my property, providing well planned out tree and plant locations, protecting my property from erosion, and restoring the stream bed. All of this increases my property value. -Andrew Collmer
on StreamCare program
Archives
Learning to identify native plants
“It is a cool project that taught us how to identify native plants in a small area next to our school so that when we go on hikes we can already identify a lot of them on our own. Being able to learn about native plants is a skill I’m glad I’ve learned because I can share it with my friends.” – Jory, 12th grade
Gardening restoration
“I just came to this class to accompany my wife. She’s the gardener in the family. I had no idea that gardening could play such an important role in watershed restoration!” -husband attending a
rain garden class with his wife
Don’t bury the lawn
Remove all the lawn, don’t bury it like I did. That stuff is tough and will grow up through the soil. And lay the drain pipe first. I waited till the end to connect it, and realized that my outfall pipe (already installed) did not exactly line up with the downspout.
Steep enough slope
Be sure the slope leading to the garden is steep enough to effectively have the water run properly to the garden area.
Rocks add character
Rocks extending from the downspout add character. Mulching after the planting really helps to keep the weeds at bay 🙂
Reuse sod for berms
I recommend reusing sod to construct berm and use large pieces of cardboard (Ikea dumpster dive) to edge and mulch sides.
Take the workshop!
Most important lesson learned, take the Rain Garden 101 class. I gained valuable information and know-how to build a rain garden. Watching my first rain garden at work inspired me to build 3 rain gardens in my yard. They are beautiful and they perform a valuable function in absorbing rain water runoff from the house and garage roofs.