It's important that everyone take steps to reduce the spread of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Find out more about COVID-19 in Milwaukee County, WI.

Rain Gardens

MMSD Greater Milwaukee spring RAIN GARDEN PLANT SALE

Rain gardens help reduce sewer overflows and water pollution by absorbing stormwater runoff from hard surfaces into the ground naturally. Since 2006, the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) and Agrecol Native Seed and Plant Nursery have offered a rain garden plant sale to customers within MMSD’s service area. Plants are provided at a reduced price; up to a 50% discount compared to retail prices. The spring rain garden plant sale closed on April 8th, 2021.

Dates to Remember:

May 13th, 2021: Virtual Webinar "How to Plant Your Rain Garden" with Gardening Expert, Melinda Myers. Register here.
IMPORTANT UPDATE: DUE TO UNPRECEDENTED DEMAND, WE NEED TO HAVE 2 DIFFERENT PICK-UP DATES. If you ordered your plants prior to March 24th, your pick-up date will be June 12^th. If you order your plants on March 24^th through April 8^th (sale end-date) your pick-up will be either June 12^th or June 26th. We will email you your plant pick-up date in mid-April. Plant order pickup is at MMSD - 260 W. Seeboth St., Milwaukee, WI 532042.

To receive future notifications on MMSD plant sales and workshops, sign up for our Fresh Coast News email list.

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.

INFORMATION AND RESOURCES

How to Install a Rain Garden

It's quick and easy to install a rain garden. Follow these 7 steps from Melinda Myers and build your own today.

Benefits of Rain Gardens with Melinda Myers

Check out this video with gardening expert Melinda Myers to learn about the benefits of planting a rain garden and how rain gardens can help the environment.

How to Select Plants for a Rain Garden with Melinda Myers

When it comes to choosing plants for your rain garden, you can be overwhelmed by the options. Gardening expert, Melinda Myers, offers a few of her favorite rain garden plants to help you get started.