Guest Speakers: Janel Ewert, Worthington Garden Club President & Rain Garden Homeowner
Dale Johnson, Park Board Chairman
Date: September 11, 2018
Location: Public Library Conference Room
Next Monthly Club Meeting: October 9, 2018
Next Board Meeting: October 23, 2018
Meeting called to order: Angie Weber
Janel Ewert:
Rain gardens consist of native plants. The garden is sloped to capture rain water. The water run-off removes 80-90% cleaner, Lawn 30% more. A rain garden is not a wetland or a pond. Twelve to twenty-four (12-24) hours is the normal amount of time to filter the run-off pollution and drain. This process helps to keep streams, rivers, and lakes clean.
The Watershed District in Nobles county shared the cost of rain garden plants and design.
Factors to consider when creating a rain garden:
One plant per square foot
Native grasses
Flowers
Perennials
No fertilizer
Slope or depression
Size is determined by rain run-off.
50% Sand
Block edging
Mulch:
Acts as weed barrier. Type and amount: Four (4) inches of newly shredded raw wood
DO NOT USE WOOD CHIPS. Spread shredded wood over entire rain garden bed. Dig into mulch to plant grasses, flowers, perennials, etc.
Benefits: Butterflies, Bees, Wildlife
Maintenance:
The first 2-3 years maintaining a rain garden is more labor intensive to keep weeds pulled, then the garden become far more manageable where weeding is 3-4 times in growing season. Janel advised that if the Gaylord Garden Club were to take on the rain gardens, to choose one manageable section of one garden – get that under control, then move on to another section the next year. It would take very committed members many years down the road to achieve the goal of restoring the rain gardens and maintaining them properly.
Dale Johnson, Park Board Chairman
2007 & 2008 Gaylord Rain Garden History
Two year construction
2007
6-9 Storm sewers ran into Lake Titloe
DNR Grant: Direct Rain Water - $400,000
Diane Uecker & Pauline Witz
Construction of three (3) rain gardens:
2008
Wet Soil Planting
30 Volunteers
$25,000.
2 yrs – upland moist, upland dry
Plants per gardens
#1: 2490 plants
#2: 1441 plants
#3: 1511 plants
5,442 total plants for Gaylord’s three rain gardens
Maintenance: State-funded moneys
Boy & Girl Scouts
Community
Mulched in 2007 & 2009
Club Group Discussion followed:
Gardening Teams
Use Recycled Mulch (? cn)
Invite Community
Make Flyer
Gaylord Garden Club Board Members:
President: Julianne Shaw 507-380-1047
Vice-President: Angela Weber 507-995-7683
Treasurer: Mary Jo Overson 507-317-2791
Secretary/Media: Christine Nichols 507-995-4510
Club Email: gaylordgardenclub@gmail.com
Notes/Typed: Christine Nichols, Club Secretary
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