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Home / Blogs / Dig it Yourself: A Rain Garden How-to
October 28, 2023
There are a lot of reasons you may want to install a rain garden. Maybe you are interested in surrounding yourself with beautiful native plants, or looking to attract butterflies, birds, and bees. The most common reason for wanting a rain garden is to capture and infiltrate stormwater. No matter what your reason, the design and installation of a rain garden should never prevent you from moving forward with one!
Cardinal flower in the rain garden at St. Catherine Laboure Catholic Church in Wheaton, MD,
Throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed, there are a number of grant and rebate programs that encourage property owners to use rain gardens to mitigate their stormwater. These programs offer differing cost assistance services and typically allow for installation completed by either a contractor or as a DIY project. Once you have decided to install a rain garden, it is best to familiarize yourself with the programs available in your area as some programs have specific requirements.
Whether you are installing the garden yourself or hiring a contractor, the below steps will help ensure that your rain garden is safe, functional, and beautiful!
Rain Garden excavation. Photo credit: Eric Braker
If you wish to learn more about how to install a rain garden, check out our recent rain garden installation videos.
Rain garden provided by RiverSmart Homes contractor
Green Infrastructure Projects Manager
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