Community Photo Album

GNG Patriots Football
(GNG = towns of Gray- New Gloucester)

Little Sebago Rain Garden a "Splashing" Success
Submitted By Jamie Fitch,
Cumberland County Soil and Water Conservation District

Gray - A group of volunteers from Little Sebago Lake, the Cumberland County Soil and Water Conservation District and Maine DEP spent a day and a half planting a rain garden on Judy Andrew's property in Gray. A rain garden functions to collect and infiltrate stormwater runoff before it can wash away the soil, while also beautifying the area.

This rain garden was designed to collect runoff from the driveway and carport on the property. A semi-circle 20 feet long and 10 feet wide was dug to a two-foot depth. A mixture of sand, loam and compost was added to the garden and graded so that the middle of the garden was set six inches lower than the sides. This ensures that water will pond in the center of the garden.

Stone-filled trenches were also dug to help direct water into the garden.
Water-loving plants, such as iris, cardinal flower and boneset were planted in the center of the garden. Plants that prefer moist soil, such as New England asters and milkweed were planted in the sides of the rain garden, and plants that can tolerate dry conditions, such as sheep laurel, bearberry and juniper were planted along the outer edge. Over time, the plants will spread to fill in the total area of the garden.

The next step was to sit back and watch it rain. So far, the garden seems to be doing its job. No longer is the property washing away with the rain!
If you'd like more information on planting a rain garden on your property, contact the Cumberland County Soil and Water Conservation District at 856-2777.

Watershed: The area of land that drains water into a river, stream, lake or ocean.