Edible Pollinator Garden Designs

Product: Customized Edible Pollinator Rain Garden — Complete Design Pack

Overview A turnkey design for a low-maintenance rain garden that captures and infiltrates stormwater, supports pollinators, and produces edible crops. Tailored to a specific site (yard, community garden, schoolyard, rooftop), the design balances hydrology, habitat, and food production while using native and climate-resilient plants. Delivered as a downloadable package with installation and maintenance guidance.

What you receive

1. Site Assessment Worksheet (fillable PDF)

• Site dimensions, slope, soil type, drainage patterns

• Sun/shade map and microclimates

• Existing vegetation, utilities, and constraints

• Rainfall/runoff estimates and target capture volume

• Desired harvest goals (types/amounts of edible yield)

2. Custom Planting Plan (vector-ready drawing + plant list)

• Scaled plan showing rain garden footprint, swales/berms, overflow, access paths, and compost/harvest zones

• Zoning by moisture gradient: inlet zone, wet center, moist margins, dry berm upland

• Annotated plant palette (scientific/common names, edible part, bloom time, pollinator value, seasonality)

• Quantities and spacing for 50, 100, 250 sq ft sizes (can be adjusted)

• Alternatives for three climate/USDA zone groups (cool-temperate; warm-temperate; Mediterranean/dry)

3. Hydrology & Soil Amendment Plan

• Simple sizing calculator to determine basin volume and footprint to capture a specified storm depth (e.g., 1"–2" events)

• Inlet design for sheet flow or concentrated inflow, staging/pretreatment (gravel forebay, native mulch trap)

• Soil profile recommendations and amendment schedule (percent organic matter target, sand/compost ratios)

• Underdrain and overflow specifications when infiltration limits require them

4. Edible & Pollinator Plant Palette

• Combined list of native/regionally appropriate species prioritized for:

  • Pollinator nectar/pollen resources across seasons

  • Edible yield (herbs, berries, perennial vegetables, fruiting shrubs)

  • Low toxicity for human use and safe edible parts

• Example palette highlights (general — final palette adjusted to site):

  • Wet center: Blueberry (Vaccinium spp.) — edible fruit, spring flowers for bees

  • Moist margins: Serviceberry/Juneberry (Amelanchier) — edible fruit, pollinator-friendly

  • Moist/well-drained: Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) — edible berries for cooked use, high pollinator value

  • Perennial herbs: Bee balm (Monarda fistulosa) — edible leaves/tea, attracts bees and hummingbirds

  • Groundcover/edible: Wild strawberries (Fragaria vesca) — edible groundcover, pollinator-friendly

  • Seasonal annuals for added yield: Borage (Borago officinalis) — edible flowers, strong pollinator attractor

  • Structural species: Native sedges and rushes for infiltration edge stability

5. Planting & Establishment Guide

• Timing and step-by-step planting sequence

• Mulch selection and application rates (pollinator-safe mulch guidance)

• Watering schedule for establishment (first 2–3 seasons)

• Protective measures for young edibles (temporary fencing, netting tips)

• Succession and pruning guidance for maximizing flowers and harvest

6. Maintenance Plan (year-by-year, 5-year horizon)

• Seasonal tasks (spring clean-up, summer thinning, fall mulch refresh, winter cutback)

• Pollinator-forward weed management (identify species to retain vs remove)

• Harvest calendar and gentle processing/food-safety notes (e.g., safe preparation for elderberries)

• Soil health monitoring and compost/topdressing schedule

• Pollinator monitoring checklist and simple citizen-science data sheet template

7. Construction & Materials List

• Excavation volumes, gravel, soil mix, plants, liners (if needed), underdrain pipe, check dam materials

• Tools and equipment list (rakes, tampers, shovels, compost spreaders)

• Estimated labor hours for DIY and contractor-assisted installation

• Budget estimate ranges (DIY vs contractor) with cost drivers identified

8. Educational & Community Add-Ons (optional)

• Planting labels focusing on pollinators, edible species, and water benefits

• Optional school curriculum outline for K–12: planting day, pollinator life cycles, water health, protection and cycle lessons w/ volunteer event checklist for planting/maintenance days

Customization process

1. You complete the Site Assessment Worksheet and answer a short questionnaire (site photos recommended).

2. We produce a Draft Design within 7 business days: plan drawing, plant palette tailored to