Website Links
More sources of great information!
There are a host of great organizations, programs, and websites that offer information and ideas about rainscaping and other green solutions. Listing does not constitute an endorsement by the RainScaping Campaign. If you know of additional resources, please contact us..
Rain garden and rain barrel information.
Not all rain barrels are designed with the user in mind. The Aquabarrel Classic sports an overflow that is nearly the same size as the inlet and the garden hose attachment under the barrel. Montgomery County, MD RainScapes is currently offering this design to the participants of their rain barrel program. The Aquabarrel "Abe" offers 80 gallons of containment in same footprint as a 55 gallon drum. Manufactured from 100% recycled plastic it incorporates a large debris filter, a 4inch overflow outlet that is equal in size to the inlet and a built in winter/summer diverter. Notably, informative demonstration videos can be viewed on this website.
www.arlingtonecho.net
Arlington Echo Outdoor Education Center is the Outdoor Education Program of Anne Arundel County Public Schools. They have an excellent rain barrel program. Order rain barrels online at www.arlingtonecho.net.
www.gardensupermart.com/store/rain-barrels.php
The contemporary Cascata Rain Barrel holds 65 gallons of water – it is both aesthetic and practical.
www.cbf.org/site/PageServer?pagename=resources_pubs_index
Chesapeake Bay Foundation, rain barrel and rain garden publications to download.
www.ChesapeakeEcologyCenter.org.
Chesapeake Ecology Center has ten rain gardens (total 30 Demonstration Gardens and Sites) and a publication: "Ecoscaping Back to the Future. . . Restoring Chesapeake Landscapes (Native Plant Rain Gardens and Xeriscapes)" by Zora Lathan and Thistle A. Cone.
http://www.gardeners.com
Gardeners Supply is a source for purchased rain barrels. Burlington, Vermont, 888-833-1412. www.gardeners.com
A variety of rain barrels and other garden resources are available at this local favorite, located at 912 Forest Drive, Annapolis, MD 21403, 410-268-3939.
www.lowimpactdevelopment.org/raingarden_design
This website displays a series of rain garden, or bioretention, design templates that can be used by landscape architects, landscape contractors, garden clubs, and homeowners throughout the Bay. These designs promote the use of rain gardens and Bayscapes by providing a set of easily accessible high quality sustainable and maintainable designs for the landscape industry and citizens.
www.dnr.state.md.us/ed/waterinfo.html
Maryland Department of Natural Resources water conservation and gray water information.
Prince George's County (Maryland) has rain garden plant list and instructions (no website). Programs and Planning Division, 9400 Peppercorn Place, Suite 500, Largo, Maryland 20774, 301-883-5810.
http://rainbarrelsannapolis.com/
Recycled oak whiskey or wine barrels converted to rain barrels are available in this Annapolis-based company, along with installation, 410-267-0673.
This is Maryland’s first company to have professionals accredited by ARCSA (American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association). They have a variety of rain barrels as well as staff that help design residential and commercial rainwater harvesting systems, 410-360-RAIN (7246).
www.rainscapes.org.
RainScapes.org is a regional joint project of the Montgomery County (MD) Department of Environmental Protection (240.777.7720) and the Potomac Conservancy (301.608.1188.) Information on rain gardens, rain barrels, photos of projects, low impact development specifications, native plant suppliers, etc.
http://www.sprucecreekrainsaver.com
This company produces the Spruce Creek Rainsaver, and has a variety of other rain barrels for sale, 800-940-0187.
http://clean-water.uwex.edu/pubs/pdf/home.rgmanual.pdf
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and University of Wisconsin Extension, 877-947-7827. "Rain Gardens: A How-to Manual for Homeowners" (32 page pdf), step-by-step instructions with design plans for different sun and soil conditions, mid-western native plant lists.
If you experience technical difficulties with any of the above links, please contact us.