Native Plantings & Rain Gardens
Two of the most helpful things property owners around Lake Helen can do is to plant (or install) native plantings along the shoreline and/or rain gardens on other parts of the property to help control runoff and erosion, in addition to supporting pollinators and property values.
By leveraging the annual Healthy Lakes and Rivers grants (secured on our behalf by the Land and Water Conservation Division of the Portage County Planning and Zoning Department), many property owners around the lake have installed these "best practices" and have invested in the health of our lake.
Take a look at some of the fantastic plantings done by our Lake Helen residents:
By leveraging the annual Healthy Lakes and Rivers grants (secured on our behalf by the Land and Water Conservation Division of the Portage County Planning and Zoning Department), many property owners around the lake have installed these "best practices" and have invested in the health of our lake.
Take a look at some of the fantastic plantings done by our Lake Helen residents:
Photo provided by Paul Skawinski
Native Planting vs Rain Gardens - What's the Difference?
Both rain gardens and native plantings allow native plants the ability to absorb extra water and nutrients, stabilize the soil, and prevent contaminates from entering nearby water bodies. The difference? Placement.
A rain garden is a shallow depression that is planted with deeply rooted native plants and grasses. By design, rain gardens temporarily slow the flow of water movement during and after a rain event. This gives the water time to infiltrate into the soil rather than running off. Rain gardens are a great addition to properties with steep slopes, or as a means to collect roof runoff from your house or any other structure. Rain gardens should be positioned near a runoff source like a driveway or downspout to capture rain events to be most effective and efficient on your property.
A native planting on the other hand, or at least how it is defined in the context of the grants, is located along the shoreline, in the vegetative buffer zone (within 35 feet of the shoreline). Specific plants native to the area, especially those with deep roots, prevent erosion and runoff from entering the lake, promoting biodiversity and supporting local wildlife.
A rain garden is a shallow depression that is planted with deeply rooted native plants and grasses. By design, rain gardens temporarily slow the flow of water movement during and after a rain event. This gives the water time to infiltrate into the soil rather than running off. Rain gardens are a great addition to properties with steep slopes, or as a means to collect roof runoff from your house or any other structure. Rain gardens should be positioned near a runoff source like a driveway or downspout to capture rain events to be most effective and efficient on your property.
A native planting on the other hand, or at least how it is defined in the context of the grants, is located along the shoreline, in the vegetative buffer zone (within 35 feet of the shoreline). Specific plants native to the area, especially those with deep roots, prevent erosion and runoff from entering the lake, promoting biodiversity and supporting local wildlife.
Image from Friends of Bolin Creek, bolincreek.org
Care & Maintenance
Care and maintenance are relatively easy, but remember, your plantings will take some time to get established. In the first year, your plants are focused on establishing their ROOTS - growing more down than they do up. Don't get discouraged! Pulling weeds and using natural mulch will help the plants stay healthy. Water them as needed.
In years 2 and 3, you'll start to see the fruits of your labor - the grasses and flowers begin to grow upward, your bushes and trees begin to fill out, and suddenly it looks like the pictures you probably had of the plants you chose!
In years 2 and 3, you'll start to see the fruits of your labor - the grasses and flowers begin to grow upward, your bushes and trees begin to fill out, and suddenly it looks like the pictures you probably had of the plants you chose!
Go Get Those Grants!
The Portage County Planning and Zoning Department, Land and Water Conservation Division applies for the WI DNR, Healthy Lakes and Rivers Grants annually. This grant provides reimbursement to property owners up to $1,000 per Best Practice (rain gardens, native plantings, fish sticks, rock infiltrations and diversions) for up to 25 projects throughout Portage County.
The most common question from homeowners: How many can I do?
Property owners can install as many best practices as make sense for their property, including doing multiple in a single year and/or adding projects year after year. Grant submissions include pictures and descriptions of your property and the area selected for the installation. Representatives from the Land and Water Conservation Division can walk the property with you to determine feasibility and provide guidance.
What do I have to do?
Complete your grant application(s) for the Best Practices that you plan to install the following year. If the grant is approved, you'll be notified in early Spring. You'll have up to 2 years to install your rain garden, native planting or other project, according to the guidelines of the grant to size, plant type, etc. Document your time/labor and expenses, and submit it for up to a $1000 reimbursement upon completion.
Contact Andrew Senderhauf ([email protected]) to get started!
More information provided under “Resources” below.
The most common question from homeowners: How many can I do?
Property owners can install as many best practices as make sense for their property, including doing multiple in a single year and/or adding projects year after year. Grant submissions include pictures and descriptions of your property and the area selected for the installation. Representatives from the Land and Water Conservation Division can walk the property with you to determine feasibility and provide guidance.
What do I have to do?
Complete your grant application(s) for the Best Practices that you plan to install the following year. If the grant is approved, you'll be notified in early Spring. You'll have up to 2 years to install your rain garden, native planting or other project, according to the guidelines of the grant to size, plant type, etc. Document your time/labor and expenses, and submit it for up to a $1000 reimbursement upon completion.
Contact Andrew Senderhauf ([email protected]) to get started!
More information provided under “Resources” below.
Resources (click on each site below for more information):
- www.healthylakeswi.com/best-practices/#rain
*Grant funding available annually, fact sheet of practice requirements, a guide for homeowners from WI WDNR from 2018, decision tool worksheet to see if this practice will work on your property
- www.dnr.wi.gov/topic/shorelandzoning/documents/rgmanual.pdf
*How-to Manual for Homeowners from WI DNR 2003
- www.uwsp.edu/cnr-ap/UWEXLakes/Pages/ecology/shoreland/raingardens.aspx
*brochures, PowerPoints, list of native species, articles
*Grant funding available annually, fact sheet of practice requirements, a guide for homeowners from WI WDNR from 2018, decision tool worksheet to see if this practice will work on your property
- www.dnr.wi.gov/topic/shorelandzoning/documents/rgmanual.pdf
*How-to Manual for Homeowners from WI DNR 2003
- www.uwsp.edu/cnr-ap/UWEXLakes/Pages/ecology/shoreland/raingardens.aspx
*brochures, PowerPoints, list of native species, articles