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Rain Gardens

MMSD Greater Milwaukee Rain Garden Plant Sale

The Rain Garden Plant Sale is now closed as we have sold out of plants! If you missed the sale, make sure to sign up for the Fresh Coast Newsletter to be the first to hear about the Spring Plant Sale. If you ordered, look for an email for pick-up details.

Dates to Remember:

  • September 11th, 2021 – Plant order pickup is at MMSD - 260 W. Seeboth St., Milwaukee, WI 53204 from 10:30 am to 2:30 pm.

Rain Garden Resources

In addition, to the plant sale, MMSD is offering FREE recorded rain garden webinars with gardening expert, Melinda Myers, and a recorded workshop where you can learn about rain gardens, plant selection, and plant care.

  • Virtual Rain Garden Webinar "How to Plan Your Rain Garden" with Gardening Expert, Melinda Myers. Watch the recording here.
  • Virtual Rain Garden Workshop on how to design and build a rain garden, and how to select plants. Watch the recording here.
  • Virtual Webinar "How to Select Rain Garden Plants" with Gardening Expert, Melinda Myers. Watch the recording here.

To receive future notifications on MMSD plant sales and rain garden 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:

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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.