Advice for a Rain Garden in your Yard

How We Help

The Office of the Washtenaw County Water Resources Commissioner and staff work with about 100 homeowners each year to design and install rain gardens on their property. Our office offers a personalized visit and design advice - the homeowner builds the rain garden.

The result all over the county, residents are happy with their new gardens, and the Huron River receives less fertilizers, chemicals and other harmful runoff. The rain gardens planted through this program are capable of capturing 60,000 gallons of water each -  an inch of rainfall.  All together, so far residential rain gardens in Washtenaw County capture more than 5 Million gallons a year - preventing pollution and sewer overflows.

One-on-One Assistance

Our program will assist by providing one-on-one assistance in creating your garden. We provide advice on a rain garden in your yard by meeting with you individually. These meetings have proven valuable in designing the size and shape of gardens to suit each individual circumstance, and creating a planting scheme compatible with your visual preference and use of the surrounding space.

The labor and material costs (plants, compost, and mulch) are the property owner’s obligation.

Typically, the cost of a rain garden about $2 to $3 per square foot (SF). Gardens can be as little as 70 SF and as much as 400 SF for a residence. The gardens involve some digging, so if you choose to hire someone else to do the work, the costs are higher.

Just to make clear the expectations from the beginning. Water Resources staff time is free to you. Your tax dollars at work! All other costs including plants and labor are up to you.

Contact Susan Bryan to set up a time for us to "virtually" visit your yard and talk rain gardens. 734-222-6860. Or, click the button below to set up an appointment.

If you live on a lake or stream and are interested in creating a natural shoreline, we also offer Shoreline Assistance Visits. Learn more on our Natural Shorelines page.