Rain gardens are shallow, constructed depressions that are planted with deep-rooted native plants and grasses. While rain water has been collected in gardens since ancient times, the concept of the residential rain garden is a recent idea. Conversion of land into impermeable surfaces creates new challenges for storm water runoff. This course provides an explanation of how rain gardens work and their eco-friendly benefits. Course participants will learn to calculate catchment zones, design for various soil types, and calculate slope adjustments. This course provides economical options to the otherwise costly stormwater challenges. This course provides information for design and construction including: FAQs, sizing and siting locations, landscaping, plant selection, catchment zones, slope calculations, designs for various soil types, construction, settling, and cost calculations. This course is based on the publication Rain Garden Handbook for Western Washington, A Guide for Design, Installation and Maintenance.<\/p>\n
This course includes a multiple-choice quiz at the end and is intended to provide 3 hours of professional development.<\/p>\n
Course Author: Washington State University<\/p>\n
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
\nAfter the successful completion of this course, the student will have learned or been exposed the following:
\n\u2022 Where to locate and how to determine the storm water catchment zone
\n\u2022 How to design the storm water catchment zone
\n\u2022 How rain gardens reduce storm water pollution
\n\u2022 How to reduce erosion and other negative impacts
\n\u2022 Rain garden designs in sandy, and silty soil
\n\u2022 Rain garden designs in clayey soil
\n\u2022 Native plants and vegetation that will best benefit a rain garden system
\n\u2022 Design of storm water drainage and overflow systems
\n\u2022 Tools to estimate materials and calculate rain garden costs<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Rain gardens are shallow, constructed depressions that are planted with deep-rooted native plants and grasses. While rain water has been collected in gardens since ancient times, the concept of the residential rain garden is a recent idea. Conversion of land into impermeable surfaces creates new challenges for storm water runoff. This course provides an explanation of how rain gardens work and their eco-friendly benefits.<\/p>\n