Page 42 - 7166 - Rain Garden Handbook

Build
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Excavating on
Fairly Flat Ground

If the rain garden is installed on fairly flat ground

David Hymel (5% grade or less), excavate soil to the desired
depth. Set soil aside and see instructions for
replacing soil on pages 32 through 35.

Avoid Soil Compaction

in the Rain Garden

If using a mini-excavator or other machinery for excavation,
keep equipment away from the bottom of the rain garden. FAIRLY LEVEL GROUND 5% OR LESS
Operating machinery inside the rain garden will compact
the soil and reduce the drainage rate. Instead, operate the
machinery from adjacent areas, outside the rain garden.

Don't Add Sand
to High Clay Soils

Don’t add sand to a soil with high clay content.
Adding a little sand to soils with lots of clay can
create a concrete-like mixture.
Linda Andrews David Hymel