A one-mile stretch of Plainfield Avenue from Leonard to Ann Street is about to undergo a major makeover with the construction of seven bio-retention islands in the median. This $305,000 project has been funded by local business and largely funded by a $146,667 grant from MDOT. The construction is set to be finished in August.
http://thewmeacblog.org/2012/04/17/creston-corridor-to-use-new-green-technology-to-reduce-stormwater-pollution-beautify-neighborhood/#comments
What is bio-retention? The best way to describe this not so newly adopted science is to think of it as a rain garden. Rain gardens are aesthetically pleasing but most of all it reduces storm water pollution. The cost of a rain water garden is relatively low and increase the value of your home. Lets suppose that every home owner created a small to medium rain garden what an impact this could be? Contact your local government and ask how they might be able to help. The squeaky wheel gets the oil! At the end of this article you can find a simple and affordable way to enhance your back yard and take part in gardening environmentally.
What is a raingarden?
A raingarden is a water saving garden that is similar to a regular garden bed, but is designed specifically to capture stormwater from hard surfaces such as driveways, patios and roofs via downpipes after it rains.
Raingardens are changing the way we think about gardening and are rapidly becoming an important part of garden design, particularly in Grand Rapids on a larger scale. They can even be positioned to capture overflow from a rainwater tank.
How do raingardens work?
Beneath the raingarden are layers of sandy soil which help to slow the rate of stormwater entering our rivers and creeks. These layers also assist in the removal of pollution, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, fertilisers, dust, leaves and animal droppings, which are washed off these hard surfaces.
The plants in your raingarden help to further filter out pollution that would otherwise end up in our rivers and creeks.
By capturing stormwater, raingardens are self watering and are therefore easier to maintain and use less drinking water than regular gardens.
Raingardens are rapidly becoming an essential addition to any sustainable garden design, thanks largely to the fact that they come with a serious benefit to the environment and the health of local rivers and creeks.
What are the different types of raingardens?
There are many different types of raingardens you can choose to build at home.
Planter box raingarden
This type of raingarden is positioned above the ground to collect stormwater from a disconnected roof downpipe, allowing stormwater to filter through the raingarden before connecting to the stormwater system.
Inground raingarden
This type of raingarden is positioned in the ground to collect stormwater from hard surfaces or a disconnected roof downpipe, allowing stormwater to filter through the raingarden before connecting to the stormwater system.
Infiltration raingarden
This type of raingarden is positioned in the ground to collect stormwater from hard surfaces or a disconnected roof downpipe, allowing stormwater to filter through the raingarden and penetrate into the surrounding soil.
Swale
A slight depression in the landscape which can be either grassed or planted with other vegetation.
Green roof
When the roof of a building is covered in vegetation and soil to assist with the filtration of stormwater.
Porous paving
A permeable material, often brick like, that allows water to penetrate through into the surrounding soil.
Downpipe diversion
When a roof downpipe diverts roof water through a hose via a d-shape mechanism, allowing water to soak into the garden and surrounding soil.
Rainwater tank diversion
Similar to a downpipe diversion only the d-shape mechanism is fitted to the overflow of the rainwater tank.
This is an illustration of a simple Planter box rain garden that I have in my back yard. This cost me $5.00 dollars for the wooden barrel purchased from a flea market and the plants were free from a neighbor! I need only to purchase a down spout which should only amount to $10.00 dollars. Total cost $15.00 dollars.
So get started with your rain garden whether it is small or large. You to can make a significant difference to the environment.
This is an illustration of a simple Planter box rain garden that I have in my back yard. This cost me $5.00 dollars for the wooden barrel purchased from a flea market and the plants were free from a neighbor! I need only to purchase a down spout which should only amount to $10.00 dollars. Total cost $15.00 dollars.
So get started with your rain garden whether it is small or large. You to can make a significant difference to the environment.
If you are not sure what to plant I would recommend Calvin College.
Native Plant Sale
7th Annual Native Plant Sale Saturday, May 5, 2012
10:00 am to 12:00 pm
BIC West Entrance
Plant Sale List 2011 and directions.
New plant list will be added a week before the plant sale.
Happy Earth Day
