Plant a Rain Garden and Get Money

Residents in Gahanna, New Albany, and Westerville can receive up to $250 towards the cost of installing a rain garden. Interested applicants must work with Franklin Soil and Water to determine site suitability and plans. Read a Cost share example.

There’s no cost-share money available for City of Columbus residents, but you may be able to purchase plants through our Backyards rebate program. Assistance with rain garden planning is available. Contact Franklin Soil and Water with questions!

Additional Resources for Central Ohio

CORGI Quick Guide to Planning and Installing Rain Gardens

CORGI Quick Guide to Native Plants for Rain Gardens

Rain garden contractor

Rain Garden Maintenance Brochure

How Much Water Does My Garden Receive?

Regional Guides

Geauga Soil and Water’s Rain Garden Manual. A thorough 18- page guide.

Rain Garden Guidelines for Southwest Ohio Ohio State University Extension- Hamilton County, 2008

Sustainable Landscape Systems for Managing Storm Water 2nd edition Ohio State University Extension- Hamilton County, 2009

Regional Initiatives

Clermont County SWCD’s Rain Garden Initiave

Toledo-Lucas County Rain Garden Initiative

Other Helpful Stuff

How To Disconnect Your Downspout. Reference from the City of Minnesota.

Soil Constraints and LID. Do rain gardens work in clay soils? (Hint: yes, yes they do.)

Blue Thumb Rain Garden Layouts Courtesy of Waterdrop Innovations LLC as part of our Gardening for Clean Water program.

Gardening for Life article by Doug Tallamy. A must-read about the importance of biodiversity in the backyard.