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RAIN GARDENS

We have two rain gardens close to the Visitors' Center
to "catch" the runoff from the driveway


For our needs, Steve dug a drainage ditch across the driveway to channel the water to the two rain gardens

He makes sure it's level

and fills in the sides.  Next, a plastic grate goes over the top

For a rain garden, you need to dig a deep hole and make it "bowl shaped"

Fill the hole with gravel

Here, Youda helps Kirk spread the gravel

Next, fill it with a spongy planting medium, high in organic material

and spread it.

Its now ready for plants.

Third graders helped us put the plants that will  soak up the runoff
 

Learn more:  
What do rain gardens do?
A Boxerwood Lesson  (pdf)

Rain Garden booklet written with the City of Lexington (pdf)
  www. dof.state.va.us/rfb/rain-gardens.shtml