Costs of a rain garden vary based on size and how much the landowner can accomplish themselves. The most expensive cost is usually excavation. Other costs include plants, mulch, and soil.
What is covered by the Mat-Su Borough cost sharing program?
Purchases eligible for reimbursement: Plants, soils, mulch, excavation.
Purchases NOT eligible for reimbursement: Rain barrels, rain chains, rain gutters, tools.
Where can I get assistance installing my rain garden?
Contact
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. We can assist homeowners with their rain garden design. We may be able to assist schools, commercial properties, and public spaces with rain garden installation. For school projects, we have ideas for incorporating rain gardens into the curriculum.
Where should I put my rain garden?
It helps to watch where water flows after a hard rainfall. Place your rain garden at least ten feet away from your foundation and near a source of runoff. Avoid septic tanks and trees. Full or partial sun areas are best. Some common rain garden locations are at the base of gutter downspouts, a low and gently sloping area of the lawn, and areas that catch runoff from pavement.
How will my rain garden work in winter?
Rain gardens can still infiltrate some water during winter. Rain gardens will work to catch snowmelt. Rain garden plants are usually hardy, native, perennial plants that will survive harsh winter weather.
What kind of maintenance will my rain garden require?
Regularly water your rain garden the first summer of installation. Some weeding may also be necessary over time in your garden. Rain gardens use native perennial plants that do not require much maintenance once they are established.
Will my rain garden or rain barrel attract mosquitoes?
No. Rain gardens are dry most of the time. Rain gardens puddle water during storm events, and soak the water into the ground in the hours following a storm event. Mosquitoes need 7-12 days of standing water to lay and hatch eggs.
Rain barrels are fitted with covers and screens to keep out mosquitoes. You can also add things to the water, such as vegetable oil or Mosquito Dunks to keep any prevent any larvae from hatching.
