The South Jersey Landscape Makeover Program is led by a coalition of eight environmental non-profits working with homeowners, farmers, and municipalities to design and install rain gardens and other green infrastructure projects that will prevent polluted stormwater from reaching our waterways. Participants attend an educational workshop and then receive a free consultation with trained Rutgers landscape engineers to design their rain garden, and are also eligible to receive up to a $450 rebate, depending on the size of the garden, if your home is in our focus area. So far, 9 educational programs have been given, leading to 25 rain gardens being built and $6,700 provided in rebates. If you are interested in attending a workshop, check out our schedule.
Paul and Ann Patterson of Medford were participants in the South Jersey Landscape Makeover Program last year. Their recently purchased home had flooding issues during strong storms, so they were happy to learn about the program after seeing a sign in one of their neighbor’s yards during a run. With the help of their two year old son, they have become stormwater superstars, building 2 rain gardens and some other green infrastructure projects, with more planned for the future. They were generous enough to spend some time answering a few questions that we hope will encourage more people to get involved with the program!
Why did you decide to take part in the South Jersey Landscape Makeover Program?
My wife Ann and I bought our home three years ago here in Medford and soon learned that heavy rains would cause water to pool up in the backyard and at the bottom of the driveway. This would then seep into the lower story of the split level house during the wettest part of the rainy season. We began seeking out a solution to the water infiltration problem and this research led us to discovering rain gardens. On a run through our neighborhood Ann came across one of the landscape makeover signs and she excitedly came back to tell me the information. Finding out that we also could qualify for a rebate for designing one, fueled our motivation even further. At that point it would have been inconceivable to not design one.
Can you describe the landscaping work you did on your home?
One of the most important elements in a design (and in any garden or landscape system) is the flow and control of water. Our first rain garden fits perfectly into her project, as well as a second one that we just built on another downspout. The third and final downspout is sent into a swale and berm system that we designed early this spring. There are two other causes of runoff on to our property: the street and our neighbor’s yard. These are more difficult to measure and control, and this fall or next spring we are planning on designing a swale and berm system along with a third rain garden to help catch and store the runoff as far upslope as possible.
How long did it take you to complete the project, and were any specific tools required?
The entire property design is still in progress and will likely change as we receive feedback from the elements we add throughout the seasons. It is important to us that everything on the property be as effective, appropriate, and efficient as possible. Because of recent events, we have had an abundance of time to work on all of the design elements and we have already finished more than we had planned to for this entire year! Aven, our two year old, even helps! He greatly enjoys wheelbarrow rides, shoveling leaf compost and climbing our woodchip mountain. Tools required are bare feet, a well-built shovel and wheelbarrow, motivation, and everything else just makes it easier and more efficient.
What did you like/didn’t like about doing the project?
We both love everything about it. This experience has brought us a deep feeling of connection with the land, and a sense of purpose and responsibility that we hadn’t had before. Moving yards of leaf compost and root mulch in 90 degrees isn’t our favorite thing to do, but it needs to get done at some point!
The landscaping program was started to stop polluted stormwater runoff from reaching waterways that drain the Delaware River, which provides drinking water to millions of people. Do you care about the environment, and are you pleased to be a part of the effort to help end water pollution?
Absolutely, in fact I feel strongly that it is irresponsible to not have a deeply invested concern for the environment! We are completely and totally a part of the ecosystem. We are intimately connected to all living things and to the biosphere systems, from the tiniest micro-organisms in the soil in our backyards, to the complex and vast carbon and water cycles of our planet.
What would you tell others who may be considering becoming involved in the South Jersey Landscape Makeover Program?
Take advantage of this program to help benefit your immediate ecosystem and to connect yourself with your land. Water is a crucial element and a source of life, so learn as much as you can about it. A rain garden is a beautiful, no-brainer landscape design that you will learn from and connect with for years to come.
Any additional thoughts you want to share about the program?
This program for us has been a paramount experience in our journey of Earth connection and environmental responsibility. Thank you for making this fun and easily available to the public. The type of work you are doing is critical for our species if we want to survive the changing climate and ever increasing population.
For more information about the South Jersey Landscape Makeover Program, click here