Get to Know Common Weeds Get to Know Native Get to Know Native Plants

GREAT BLUE LOBELIA LOBELIA SIPHILITICA CASTOR-BEAN 2-4’ AUGUST-SEPTEMBER BUTONBUSH CEPHAFANRHUS OCCIDENAFIS 3-6’ JULY-AUGUST

MOUNTAIN MINT

PYCNANTHEMIM VIRGINIANUM 2-4’ JULY-SEPTEMBER CARDINAL FLOWER LOBELIA CORDINALIS 2-4’ JUNE-SEPTEMBER COMMON RAGWEED NEW ENGLAND ASTER ASTER NOVAE-ANGLIAE 1-5’ AUGUST-OCTOBER CULVER’S ROOT VERONICASTRUM VIRGINICUM 3-5’ JUNE-AUGUST PALM SEDGE MUSKINGUMENSIS CURLY DOCK 1-3’ AUGUST-OCTOBER

Rain GIANT BUR-REED SPARGANIUM EURYCARPUM PRAIRIE BLAZING 1-3’ MAY-JUNE STAR LIATRIS Post-Construction PYCNOSTACHYA 2-4’ JULY-SEPTEMBER Best Management Practices (BMPs) Resources POKEWEED RIVER OATS Show Me Rain Gardens CHASMANTHIUM www.showmeraingardens.org Ownership and Maintenance LORIFOLIUM 2-3’ FALL COLOR Missouri Botanical www.mobot.org

MSD BMP Toolbox SNEEZEWEED www.stlmsd.com/engineering/planreview/bmptoolbox HELENIUM AUTUMNALE WINTER CREEPER 2-6’ AUGUST-OCTOBER EUONYMUS

STIFF GOLDENROD SOLIDAGO RIGIDA 2-4’ JULY-OCTOBER

Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District Division of Environmental Compliance YELLOW NUT ARROWHEAD 10 East Grand Avenue SEDGE SAGIREARIA GRAMINEA St. Louis, MO 63147-2913 1-2’ JUNE-SEPTEMBER Phone: 314.768.6260 www.stlmsd.com Your MSD @Your MSD

Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District Web Site: www.stlmsd.com 24-Hour Hotline 314.768.6260 Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District

What is a Rain Garden? Rain Garden Inspection Maintenance Cost of Edges: A border defines the edge of the garden just as a frame defines a painting. A strip of mowed turf, stones, or Every time it rains, flows down roofs, driveways and Maintenance Schedule Typical Rain Garden a walking path can set the area apart and can improve rain and other impervious surfaces, sometimes flooding Maintenance costs will vary as a result of several factors, garden appearance. basements or collecting in low spots. Other runoff continues including area, size of BMP, and type of plantings. on toward the street, picking up soil, and other FEBRUARY TO MARCH All landscape requires maintenance; a rain garden is Preventative maintenance is key to minimizing major costs no different. Following these maintenance tips will help contaminants before it enters storm drains that transport Remove trash and debris associated with repairs. A general rule of thumb to estimate ensure the rain garden functions well and remains an asset it to streams and lakes, often without treatment. A rain Prune bushes and trim other plants to near maintenance costs is 3%-6% of the installation costs. to your home. garden is a planted area where rainwater collects. Maintenance may be higher the first few years, while plants the Ponding: After a rain shower, it is normal to see are being established. Think of a rain garden as a sponge -- an environmentally Remove old compaction mulch and replace shallow ponding in the rain garden for a day or two. Please do not fill in the ponding area. If water is still observed friendly sponge -- that is designed to soak up much of with new this runoff before it can do damage. A rain garden starts Tips for a Successful Rain Garden after three days, then it may be necessary to rake or poke shallow holes in the soil. If water is still observed, replace with a bowl-shaped bed of loose soil. The garden is planted Trimming and : Stems from grasses and the top layer of soil and mulch. with deep-rooted , bushes, flowers and other plants APRIL TO MAY flowers can be left through the fall and winter to add visual that help absorb the rainwater, which filters through layers Replace or remove any diseased, interest and to provide food and cover for . Trim Sediment: Muddy water flowing into the rain garden, such of soil before entering the system or to undesirable, or dead plants plants near the surface during appropriate months with a as from an eroding area in the yard, could lead to clogging. the stormwater system through the underdrain. In this string trimmer or pruner and remove dead vegetation to Repair the eroded areas quickly and remove the sediment way, your rain garden is your personal contribution to Separate or move plants if you like encourage new growth. may be pruned to give that “settles out” on top of the mulch. cleaner water! Pull weeds them the “shape” you like. Weeding: Weed growth during the establishment

period is typical and weed removal helps eliminate JUNE TO AUGUST competition with desirable plants. Weeds can be addressed Benefits of a Rain Garden with spot use of or by pulling. Blanket use Water plants during extremely dry periods of herbicide is never recommended. Diligent weeding Reduce stormwater runoff which helps: during the first two years produces desirable plants that, Reduce SEPTEMBER TO OCTOBER by year three, are mature enough to compete and crowd Reduce flooding out most weeds. Remove trash and debris Lower volume of water entering the Watering: The plants in your rain garden should not require storm system Replace or remove any disease, Filter harmful pollutants watering once mature plants are established. However, undesirable, or dead plants watering helps plant appearance during drought periods. Landscaping your property: Fertilizing: Appropriate fertilizer during the first year may Becomes a beautiful addition Pull weeds but leave grasses and flowers help establish healthy plants. Fertilizer beyond this is not Improves property value over winter necessary because it stimulates weed growth and reduces Provide food and habitat for wildlife water quality benefits. Check for adequate mulch cover Increase Mulching: A two to three-inch application of mulch after Repair any eroded areas within the garden initial planting is beneficial. Replacement of old mulch in or surrounding area the spring helps with the garden appearance and drainage. Quick Fact! Use standard single or double shredded hardwood mulch NOTE: AFTER IT RAINS that is “well aged” (at least a year since it was shredded) After a rain, it is normal to see shallow ponded water in the and free of soil, weed seeds, , etc. Pine bark and rain garden, but only for a day or two. Mosquitoes need 7 Check for muddy water or eroding soils “chipped” mulch is NOT recommended as it tends to float to 10 days to lay and hatch eggs. Mosquitoes are more draining into the garden and wash out easily. likely to lay eggs in baths and clogged gutters. Also, Check for standing water (longer than three Trash: Trash and other debris like leaves and grass rain gardens attract frogs, dragonflies and birds that eat clippings should be removed as needed. Please do not pile mosquitoes! days) or spread leaves or grass clippings in your rain garden.

Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District Web Site: www.stlmsd.com 24-Hour Hotline 314.768.6260 Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District