Harker Rain Garden

There are many benefits to having a rain garden. Think about when we have a heavy rainstorm. Typically, that water quickly washes away and into storm drains, which end up in bodies of water. When this process happens, pollutants such as fertilizer and pesticides typically get swept away with that water. Having a rain garden catches that water and allows the water to absorb into the ground below the garden instead of into a stream or lake.

Along with improving the water quality by filtering out pollutants, rain gardens also preserve native vegetation, attracts beneficial birds, butterflies, and insects, and is very easy to maintain after being established.

Check out the brochure below organized by NJ Agricultural Experiment Station through Rutgers to learn more. 

Members of the Rutgers College team came to survey the land around our school.  They found  the best location that was near downspouts to help collect water from roof runoff, as well as a location with proper soil drainage. 

The Rutgers Cooperative Research & Extension team, paired with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, began by digging a hole to the desired depth, including a drainage system, and filled with soil, rocks, compost, etc. 

The goal is to choose hardy native plants that are perennials (that come back each year) that survive in both wet and dry conditions. Native plants of different shapes ad sizes are chosen as well. The plants installed in our school's garden includes:

• Bearberry

• Inkberry Redtwig Dogwood

• Pennsylvania Sedge

• Sweet Pepperbush

• Butterfly Weed

All 5th grade classes at Harker got to join in on the fun! They unloaded the delivery trucks and organized all of the plants for plant day! 

When Plant Day finally came, each class got a lesson in rain gardens by the experts! They learned how to properly dig a hole for each plant, how far apart each should be located, the benefits of a rain garden, and how to properly maintain the area.