The BRDC Cottage Rain Garden, funded through the Virginia Conservation Assistance Program (VCAP), has been completed!
VCAP is a cost-share opportunity facilitated by the Virginia Soil & Water Conservation Districts as a way to help citizens manage stormwater, erosion, and nonpoint pollution issues on private property. Originally created for the Chesapeake Bay watershed, it has since expanded to the remainder of Virginia. With the help of both the Clinch Valley and Evergreen districts, BRDC was approved to create a rain garden behind our office building, known as “the cottage.”
This rain garden accepts stormwater from the roof of the cottage. The water moves to the gutters, which connects to an underground pipe system, and empties out into the 120-square-foot, bowl-shaped garden. The soil was amended to absorb and hold water by combining compost and natural soil. A selection of shade and water-loving native plants was sourced from Wood Thrush Natives in Floyd, VA, Gardens of the Blue Ridge in Danielsville, GA, and transplanted from our own property here at BRDC. The plants include white turtlehead, common sneezeweed, cardinal flower, great blue lobelia, umbrellaleaf, red trillium, wild geranium, Turk’s cap lily, and many more. Mulch was added to hold moisture, protect the surface of the soil, and ultimately complete the image of the rain garden.
The Cottage Rain Garden is situated along Della’s Branch Nature Trail on BRDC’s campus. School groups, members, and visitors of all ages are able to meander by the lush streamside garden, and have the opportunity to further understand the importance of stormwater control and the power of native plants in water management.
Check out these resources for your own rain garden!
Project Photos
