~ Greenspace Committee ~
Pictures from construction of the Rain Garden at Midway Christian Church
and links to resources so you can learn to
create your own Rain Garden |
Midway Renaissance Greenspace Committee members and Gina Morris, of Third Rock Consultants, donated their time, talents, and materials to create a rain garden for the Midway Christian Church at 123 West Bruen Street.
Third Rock Consultants first measured the roof area of the Church from which the rain water would be collected. Next, they calculated the volume of the garden required to completely catch a 1 inch rainfall event from the roof area. This is done because approximately 90% of the rainfall events are 1 inch or less. After estimating the area of the garden that would fit in the Church yard (about 15 by 20 ft), they calculated the required depth of, in this case, 8 inches. A digital drawing of the garden was completed and suitable plants were recommended. With the plan completed, we laid out the garden dimensions using orange tape.
Pictured above (L to R) are Rachel Couch, Gina Morris, Adele Dickerson,
Helen Rentch (and Susie), Nancy Dare, and Phil Dare.
It was also important to make sure that the perimeter of the garden was level, so we figured how much of a soil berm would be needed around the perimeter. The garden was then excavated by hand and burlap placed around the berm to prevent erosion.
Pictured above (L to R) are Phil Dare, Bob Rathbone, Nancy Dare, Randy Thomas, Helen Rentch, Heather McColl (Pastor of Midway Christian Church), Dan Roller,
Adele Dickerson, and Cecelia Gass.
The group gathered again to mulch the area over the burlap
and begin the installation of appropriate plants.
Adele Dickerson and Phil Dare work on plantings
Heather McColl (left) cuts holes in the burlap where she and
Helen Rentch (right) will add plants.
(Check back soon for pictures of the completed garden!!)
