Our mission is to protect, manage and improve the water resources of the Capitol Region Watershed District.
INSIDE
2 Trillium Nature Sanctuary 3 Villa Park Wetland System 3 Forrest Kelley, PE BACK Stop the Rain Drain 2012 Capitol Region Watershed District Summer 2012
Neighbors plant 60 rain gardens in a day by Elizabeth Beckman
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n Saturday, June 9, Hamline Midway neighbors came together to improve the quality of the Mississippi River by planting 60 boulevard rain gardens. Last year, when Saint Paul Public Works reconstructed the streets in a section of the neighborhood, they gave residents the option of having a rain garden installed in the boulevard in front of their home. Curb cuts were created to allow water to enter the gardens, boulevard soil was replaced with a sandy rain garden soil mix and mulch was laid. CRWD provided plants and coordinated the neighborhood planting. Staff from the organization Great River Greening were on hand during planting day to provide planting help, advice, tools and watering assisEach homeowner installed about 100 plants.
Planting is just the beginning Gardens were mulched prior to planting.
tance. Minnesota native plant species were used in the gardens and include turtlehead, prairie dropseed, wild petunia, junegrass and Jacob’s ladder. These gardens play a role in preventing water pollution in our lakes and the Mississippi River, they provide food for wildlife, and, if cared for properly, will be a beautiful addition to the Hamline Midway neighborhood.
After the rain garden is planted, homeowners will assume regular maintenance, which is critical during the first two growing seasons. The frequency of maintenance decreases once gardens become established, but until then these basic tasks are important: • Water weekly with at least 1” of water if it has not rained…more often in very hot weather. • Keep the garden weeded in order to prevent weeds from shading the plants and to keep it looking neat. • Maintain a 2 to 3” mulch cover to reduce the need for watering and minimize weed growth. • Regularly clear the inlet of accumulated leaves, sediment and trash. • Aside from doing regular maintenance, avoid walking in the rain garden basin to prevent soil compaction. More information about rain gardens can be found at bluethumb.org. Thank you to Blair-Griggs homeowners who are caring for their new boulevard rain gardens.
Capitol Region Watershed District 1410 Energy Park Drive, Suite 4 • St. Paul, MN 55108 • 651-644-8888 • www.capitolregionwd.org