Stormwater runoff can come from rainwater, snow melt, or other precipitation that runs off the land and eventually enters our public waterways. With spring and summer weather comes an increase in stormwater runoff and an opportunity to improve your lawn and garden’s health for the summer months ahead. Here are some tips to consider:
Install a rain garden: Rain Gardens capture and filter stormwater runoff using native flowers, grasses, and shrubs. They make an attractive landscaping feature and provide benefits to the environment.
Plant a native tree or shrub: Native plants have deep root systems that help to absorb stormwater. As an added bonus, native plants require less water to stay healthy during the hot summer months while being cold hardy as well.
Install a rain barrel: Rain barrels store rainwater until you want it later. This reduces runoff from your property and conserves drinking water. Also, rainwater is healthier for your plants than tap water. It is highly oxygenated, free of the salts, inorganic ions, and fluoride compounds contained in tap water that can accumulate in the soil over time. And, rain barrels are not subject to the City’s lawn watering restrictions if one is implemented.
Let your lawn get a little longer: Grass has about the same depth of roots as shows above the ground. By using a higher setting on your lawn mower, you are encouraging your lawn to have deeper roots. These roots take up rainwater and store it in your lawn. This decreases the amount of stormwater runoff. Your lawn will also be healthier and stand the wet dry cycles of Minnesota weather with less lawn watering and chemicals.
Compost your lawn clippings and leaves: Yard waste that gets into our lakes and streams can lead to fish kills and algae blooms. If you do not have a location on your property to compost, consider taking your lawn clippings and leaves to public compost site.
