Rain Gardens

WHY RAIN GARDENS?

Rain gardens are gardens that are watered by collected or pooled stormwater runoff, slowly infiltrating it into the ground along root pathways. They are typically planted with wildflowers and deep-rooted native vegetation, which helps infiltrate rain channeled to them from roofs, driveways, yards and other impervious surfaces. They can be placed near downspouts on homes (although away from building foundations and sewer laterals), and are an excellent means of removing pollutants from stormwater runoff. They should be slightly depressed to adequately hold and infiltrate stormwater runoff.

MMSD Greater Milwaukee RAIN GARDEN PLANT SALE

The MMSD rain garden plant sale for the greater Milwaukee area opens in January and closes the end of March each year. We partner with a local greenhouse to order your rain garden plants online for up to 50%. The rain garden plants you order will be available for pickup at MMSD HQ quarters in early June. Each plant sale season we also offer a rain garden workshop where experts can help you select plants and build your rain garden plans.  

INFORMATION AND RESOURCES

• Rain Garden How-To Manual
• Rain Garden How-To Manual - (smaller filesize/printable)
• Rain Garden Plant Mixes
• Rain Garden Care
• Sample Plans for Planting