Raingarden Care and Maintenance
Fig 1; Curbside Raingarden used to filter local runoff from the street and yard. Note the stone edger near curb inlet being used to for erosion control.
Once established raingarden maintenance is fairly low only needing some limited upkeep each year. To be sure your rain garden is functioning at its best as stormwater tool, stormwater needs to be able to flow into it. Keep an eye on the inlet at the yard or street for buildup. If leaves, grass clippings etc. are accumulating take the time to remove them. If the ground is starting to erode in the inlet area, installing some rock rip rap or a stepping stone or two may be needed to reinforce the area.
As well as being functional, raingardens should be aesthetically pleasing. Early on you will need to do some weeding until the plants get established and fill in the raingarden basin. How much will depend on whether you seeded, planted from plugs or pots, or in combination. It will also depend on how naturalized or manicured you want the raingarden to look. You may need to move, remove, or add plants to get the appeal that you’re looking for. If some plants are too tall, you can move them to the back, or remove them altogether. Some species that grow too aggressively like coneflower may need to be thinned-out.
Spring Checklist
- Add new plants, if needed
- Cut and remove dead stalks and seed heads remaining from the previous season
- Divide and move plants if they are crowding the garden
- Prune shrubs, if necessary, in March or early April
- Remove silt and debris from inlet
- Replenish mulch to 3 inches thick
Let KG Landscape Management Inc help you with your raingarden project. We have the technical expertise and the build experience to provide you with a great looking raingarden project that will benefit your yard for years to come.
Fixing a neglected St. Louis Park lawn? Learn what can be salvaged with rehab and when it’s better to start over for a healthier yard.
New build flooding your Minnetonka yard? Learn why construction redirects water and how to fix drainage issues before they damage your property.
Turn your sloped Minnetonka yard into a safe play space with grading, terracing, and drainage fixes that create level, kid-friendly areas.
Learn when to spray weeds after seeding your Blaine lawn so you don’t damage new grass. Timing matters for strong germination and effective weed control.
Compare seasonal vs. per-storm snow removal for Blaine businesses. Learn costs, reliability, liability risks, and which contract protects your property.
Fix drainage problems in your older St. Louis Park home with solutions for soggy yards, poor grading, failing drains, and outdated systems.
Learn how snow removal companies protect your Golden Valley landscape with proper plowing, de-icing methods, and techniques that prevent damage.
Your Maple Grove drainage system failed? Learn the real causes of soggy yards, slow drainage, and hidden downspout issues—and what’s fixable vs. what’s not.
Neighbor’s water flooding your Edina yard? Learn your options, your rights, and how to stop runoff before it damages your lawn or foundation.
Learn the 5 signs your St. Paul retaining wall needs repair or full replacement—and how to spot early warning issues before failure.