Way back in the Spring there was an ad in the paper announcing that there would be grants given out to select applicants for Rain Gardens, sponsored by Corsica River Conservancy. Well, thought I, sounds GREAT to me! So, off I went to the library for the meeting. I filled out the application (not hard because I have done only a bit of landscaping in my yard) and submitted it to the team.
Pretty soon, I recieved a call and email from Lou Etgen saying that I had been selected. Later, I found out I was the FIRST one selected! WOW! The grant covers up to $2000 in landscaping for my yard and labor is all volunteer! I was (and am) so excited! Work was set to begin in late summer, early fall.
In June, Neenah, the Master Gardener (with a Bachelors in Landscape Architecture or Horticulture Design, I forget which) came with Carol Jelich, another Master Gardener and we talked at great length about which Native Plants I liked and what I'd like to see in my garden. Now, those of you who know me, know that I am clueless when it comes to designing anything. I consider it a good day when my clothes match ;-) So, they came with pictures and books for me to see. I said the one thing I didn't want was a brown and grey garden in the winter time. They showed me so many beautiful plants and I picked out the ones I hated (a much easier task than picking out what I loved) and away they went.
A few weeks later, Neenah came back with a professional landscape design for my garden. Wait'll you all see this thing! It is beyond my wildest dreams. Not only did she come with the map of the garden, she brought pictures of each plant so I could visualize it better. Then, she handed me a spreadsheet...with each plant listed and what months it would be in bloom. I was so incredibly impressed.
On September 12th, the troops came out to prep what used to be my Rose Garden. That was the area we had selected together because our Roses weren't really thriving there and we were looking for something else for that area instead. The last surviving Rose bush, given to us by a family friend when we moved in can now be seen on the other side of my house, near where the fireplace extrudes. Because I am still on crutches, I sent my son outside to take pictures of the work in progress. They spent all morning "prepping" the area, which, trust me, sounds easier than it was. Planting anything in Northbrook is like digging into a rock with a shovel. God love 'em, they finally got it where they wanted it. As any Northbrook Neighbor will attest to, it just ain't easy work. I have posted pictures so you can see for yourself.
Next Tueday, they come and plant!! I couldn't be more excited! It's going to be beautiful! I will post more about it when they have come and gone but for anyone who is interested, I am required to have a "social" sometime this fall, I think, to show it off. You know how I hate a party, lol. And the best part of the party is that, they pay for that too! I just have to invite you! WOO HOO. If you have never been to my house before, email me and when I have the invitations ready I'll get one to you!
If any of you are interested in applying for your own grants or making your own Rain Gardens, call the CRC at 410-758-8756.
According to the CRC's flyer:
What’s a Rain Garden? A rain garden is a natural way to manage stormwater. Rain gardens are landscapes that capture run-off from roofs and sidewalks, allowing it to trickle into the ground instead of rushing down the storm drain. They can also supply habitat for songbirds, bees, and butterflies.
What’s the Problem With Stormwater? When rain hits roofs, sidewalks, and roads, it often ends up flowing down into a street drain, which funnels the stormwater into a local stream or river. This is rough on the river - according to the EPA, even two inches of rain falling on the roof of a small house can send over 600 gallons of water down the drain spouts! All that stormwater gushing into our storm drains causes damage to our waterways by eroding stream banks and carrying fertilizers, pesticides, and other chemicals from lawns and roads with it. Rain gardens and other conservation landscape techniques that capture stormwater flow make it possible for YOU to make a difference for the Corsica River and the Chesapeake Bay.
More next week!
Congrats on your win! Very exciting. Can't wait to see the finished product.
Found you through blogjolt...glad you joined!
Posted by: Tasra Dawson | September 17, 2006 at 08:51 PM