Raingarden MaintenanceTips to keep your raingarden looking spectacular!

Raingarden MaintenanceCut Back Winter StandPlants left for winter interest can be cut back within a few inches of the ground anytime in the spring

Early Spring

Remove Sediment and LitterTrash and dirt that has collected at the inlet can be removed and disposed

Early SpringRaingarden Maintenance

Weed the Edging Great time to dig out cool season grasses along the edging and replace with 3” of fresh mulch

Early SpringRaingarden Maintenance

MulchingApplying a thin coat of shredded hardwood mulch is easiest in early spring before the plants emerge.

Early SpringRaingarden Maintenance

Dividing Plants• Plants that have

grown 2-3 times their size in 3 years

• Plants outgrowing their space

• “Doughnut” plants

SpringRaingarden Maintenance

Spring

Dividing • Typically when

plants are actively growing with some leaf growth

• Dig and remove entire plant

• Split by pulling apart by hand or with potato forks

• Replant, relocate, or share divided plants

Raingarden Maintenance

Spring

DeersBad Bambi!

Raingarden Maintenance

Spring

DeersOptions to put deer on diets

Raingarden Maintenance

Plant StakingStakes help tall plants resist falling over

SpringRaingarden Maintenance

Plant StakingStakes help tall plants resist falling over

SpringRaingarden Maintenance

WeedingGreat time to pull or spray and re-mulch areas that are becoming over run with weeds.

Early Summer

Spraying Photo

Raingarden Maintenance

Group ExercisesRaingarden MaintenanceWeedbusters!Split into groups of 4-5 people

Each group will be given a set of cards with plant photos on the front. Do not turn the cards over yet!

Separate the weeds from the good plants.

Early Summer

Plant ReplacementReplant areas where plants are not robust.

Raingarden Maintenance

Early Summer

WateringYoung raingarden plants need about 1” of water per week

Raingarden Maintenance

WeedingGreat time to pull or spray and re-mulch areas that are becoming over run with weeds.

Late SummerRaingarden Maintenance

DividingIris, lilies, peonies

• Mark plants that need to be divided for easy identification in the spring

Late Summer/FallRaingarden Maintenance

Flower Bouquets• Can use fresh or

dried flowers

Late Summer/FallRaingarden Maintenance

Seed CollectionGreat source of new plants next spring!

FallRaingarden Maintenance

Fall

Leave Some Standing Creates seasonal interest and provides habitat and a food source

Raingarden Maintenance

Watering

• Water into the fall to keep adequate soil moisture

• During dry periods, keep plants watered (especially trees and shrubs) until ground freezes

FallRaingarden Maintenance

Rabbit ProtectionBad bunny!

WinterRaingarden Maintenance

Rabbit ProtectionOptions for protecting plants from bad bunnies.

WinterRaingarden Maintenance

Pruning• Maintain size and

shape of a tree or shrub

• To encourage new growth

• Remove dead, broken, or diseased branches

• Produce larger fruits or flowers

• Remove suckers or spindly growth

Late Winter/Early SpringRaingarden Maintenance

Pruning Technique• Typically when the

plant is dormant• Use hand pruner or

loppers• Make a clean angle

cut just above a bud

Late Winter/Early SpringRaingarden Maintenance

Group Exercises!Raingarden MaintenanceRaingarden Fix-itSplit into groups of 4-5 people

Each group will be given a set of cards. There are 10 problem cards and 10 fix cards.

Match the problem with the best fix.

Raingarden MaintenanceUse Local Knowledge• Blue Thumb Experts• Master Gardener

Plant Clinics • University of

Minnesota Extension• Local nurseries

Resources

Raingarden MaintenancePublications

• Maintenance Guide• Plant Identification

Field Guides (Sherburne Soil and Water Conservation District)

Resources

Raingarden Maintenanc

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