By Guest blogger Heidi Leuszler, Pastry Chef at Berries & Flour Last year on Oct 23, 2019, campus and community gathered to celebrate the completion of the Red Oak Rain Garden’s Phases I and II. We served special cakes made with some ingredients grown at the garden, including the red oak’s acorns. To mark thisContinueContinue reading “Red Oak Recipes: Acorn Cakes”
Author Archives: raingardenuiuc
Join Our Community of Supporters
By C. Eliana Brown, RORG Director Supporters at the 2019 Soft Opening/Tree Celebration. Photo by Travis Tate. UPDATE (12/29/20): At 95% of our goal. Will YOUR gift be the one that takes us over the top? UPDATE (12/22/20): At 92% of our goal. Almost there! Help turn the tree green! We’re 92 percent of theContinueContinue reading “Join Our Community of Supporters”
RORG’s Ceramics
By Layne Knoche, RORG Landscape Designer If you’ve been out to the garden lately, you’ve probably noticed an artsy addition: twelve ceramic mosaic tiles placed around the garden’s perimeter along the sidewalks. The mosaic tiles were an instant hit at the garden, and the number one question we hear now is “Who made those beautifulContinueContinue reading “RORG’s Ceramics”
In the Garden: Late-October 2020
By Layne Knoche, RORG Landscape Designer Even after a number of frosts and freezes, the garden is still looking great. The large drifts of Prairie Dropseed have turned to colors golden brown, creating a blanket of beautiful texture across sunny areas of the garden. Late season blooms from Smooth Blue Aster, Black Eyed Susan, andContinueContinue reading “In the Garden: Late-October 2020”
RORG’s Very Own Prairie Fire
The Prairie Fire sculpture with Purple Poppy Mallow. Photo by Layne Knoche. By Kate Gardiner, RORG Communications Manager If you’ve walked through the garden, you’ve probably noticed the sculpture – it’s red and wavy and pops up in several different parts of the garden. It’s beautiful, especially when it catches the setting sun. But didContinueContinue reading “RORG’s Very Own Prairie Fire”
Drone Days with Dennis: An Interview with Extension’s Dennis Bowman
By Kate Gardiner, RORG Communications Manager You’ve likely heard of drones, but have you ever seen one in action? I saw one for the first time last October when Dennis Bowman used it to capture 360 degree video of the Red Oak Rain Garden. And I must say it’s pretty cool. N. Dennis Bowman isContinueContinue reading “Drone Days with Dennis: An Interview with Extension’s Dennis Bowman”
Rain Gardens – View from an Economist
By Prof. Amy Ando, Guest blogger Rain gardens, like other kinds of green infrastructure, capture rainfall that nurtures the garden plants and soaks into the ground (known as infiltration). Rain gardens can replenish groundwater and reduce stormwater runoff that would otherwise contribute to pollution and flooding during heavy rains. Adding rain gardens to a systemContinueContinue reading “Rain Gardens – View from an Economist”
We’re Certified!
by Layne Knoche, RORG Landscape Designer As you may have heard, the Red Oak Rain Garden was recently certified through several conservation-related organizations. This blog gives more information about the certifications and how RORG qualtifies for them. It is our hope that you will be inspired by the Red Oak Rain Garden to install yourContinueContinue reading “We’re Certified!”
Construction Update: Phase III, the bridge
by Eliana Brown, RORG Director I’m sure many of you have the seen the sign at the Red Oak Rain Garden letting you know that a new boardwalk/bridge was coming in Spring 2020 and, perhaps, you’re probably wondering where it is. A combination of the spread and mitigation of COVID-19 and other extenuating circumstances hasContinueContinue reading “Construction Update: Phase III, the bridge”
How Do You Measure a Tree
By Tony Heath, Project Engineer Oh, how do you measure a tree? If you’re feeling poetic, you might count the hours spent reclining in its shade or ask how many birds call its branches home. An urban planner might ask how the tree improves neighborhood outcomes, while a engineer might ask how much water itContinueContinue reading “How Do You Measure a Tree”
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