Constructed wetlands, including floating wetlands, are designed to mimic natural bogs and can help clean nutrient-polluted water. Native plants and microorganisms grow through the recycled plastic matrix and act as a natural filtration system for the lake. The wetland also creates habitat above and below the surface of the water, providing a haven for fish, turtles, insects and birds.

You can see floating wetlands in Silver Lake and in a handful of stormwater ponds across Rochester. These floating wetlands have a base made of recycled plastic that is then covered in soil and wrapped in burlap. Native plants are placed into soil-filled cavities and fencing is installed to prevent geese and muskrats from damaging the plants.

Green roofs are becoming commonly accepted and installed on buildings of all shapes and sizes. They are to reduce costs associated with the life-cycle of conventional roofs, heating and cooling. In addition, they are being used to address stormwater management and large green roofs are being used to create spaces for public benefit in urban settings.

Green roofs offer numerous benefits including:

• Reduced runoff
• Prolonged roof life
• Reduced roof temperature
• Decreased energy costs
• Reduction of the urban heat island effect
• Providing habitat for birds and insects
• Carbon sequestration
• Improved air quality
• Enjoyment and increased productivity for adjacent building occupants

Green roofs have aesthetic qualities which help to meet landscaping requirements and they create additional living space if constructed properly. The possibilities of so many benefits, particularly in urban high-density environments such as downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul, have triggered the use of green roofs.

Structure of a green roof

While a green roof may cost 2-3 times that of a conventional roof, life expectancy is commonly estimated to be at least twice as long. In addition, when evaluating the cost effectiveness of green roofs, all related cost reductions should be tabulated. For example, these could include the reduced energy costs of the building under the roof, the runoff credits possible through local regulatory programs and the carbon sequestration that could be credited as part of local CO2 monitoring.

What you plant in your yard to help water soak in makes a difference!

Landscaping for Clean Water is part of the solution to water pollution because it mimics nature.  In natural landscapes, rain tends to soak into the ground gradually rather than becoming polluted runoff that travels over impervious surfaces on it's way to surface waters.

Everyone has the responsibility of protecting our water and stormwater runoff is the number one water quality problem facing the nation according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  

Traditional Landscaping Best Practices

Turf Grass

Kentucky bluegrass is one of the most common turf grass throughout the United States and is considered to be naturalized.  This grass has been used widespread because it is a hardy, cool-season grass that can thrive in many climates.  It is a good surface for high traffic areas, such as, sports, outdoor play, and walkways.  It's dense network of shallow roots can control erosion.

The drawbacks of Kentucky bluegrass are its high maintenance needs during the hot, summer months including:

• watering to maintain a green color
• fertilizer to replenish the soil nutrients it depletes
• frequent mowing to keep manicured, socially acceptable appearance
• pesticides to prevent other species from growing with the Kentucky bluegrass

These high maintenance activities can lead to:

• water pollution from inappropriate use of lawn chemicals
• air pollution through overuse of fossil fuels in mowing and chemical production
• waste of clean, drinking water from over-watering

Best Practices in Traditional Landscaping (save money and resources plus protect our water)

1. Use fertilizer as directed and do not apply if rain is in the forecast.
2. Set up a home compost bin to create your own nutrient rich soil and liquid.
3. Set irrigation systems to water early in the morning or late in the evening when the sun won’t evaporate as much of the water.
4. Turn off your irrigation system when it’s raining!
5. Set up a rain barrel to capture rain water from your rooftop. Plus get a rebate as an Rochester Public Utilities customer!
6. Try lawn mowers that don’t use fossil fuels.

1. Is this plant native to our area?
2. Is this plant known to be aggressive and/or invasive?
3. How does this plant spread it’s seeds, if it produces them?
4. What conditions does this plant grow well in?
5. Is this plant an annual, bi-annual, or perennial?

Many staff at garden centers are very knowledgeable, but you can always double check through research online.

Rochester Garden Grants: This cost-share grant program helps fund the installation of native plant gardens and rain gardens across the City of Rochester. Follow the link for information on how to apply.

Native Plants

Native plants are those species of plants that grew naturally at the time of European settlement in North America. Some of the benefits of planting natives are:

• Most native plants are perennial so they don't need to be replaced year after year.
• Native plants have deep, extensive root systems that hold soil into place and prevent erosion. These roots are also responsible for pulling water down into the soil rather than letting it runoff the landscape.
• Native vegetation is low maintenance and doesn't require regular mowing, watering, mulching, fertilizing, or protection from frost.
• Native gardens provide food and shelter for native wildlife like butterflies, bees, and birds.

Rain Gardens

A rain garden is a carefully planned depression in the landscape that collects rainwater and snowmelt. The garden will capture stormwater and allow it to soak into the ground rather than become runoff. Stormwater that is not captured will move across the landscape has the potential to pick up pollutants (lawn, fertilizers, pet waste, car fluids, and more!) and carry them directly to area waterways.

Visit the following websites to find valuable resources to help guide your planning process:

Rochester Garden Grants: This cost-share grant program helps fund the installation of native plant gardens and rain gardens across the City of Rochester. Follow the link for information on how to apply.

Blue Thumb - Planting for Clean Water: This Twin Cities based award-winning collaborative program encourages homeowners to use native plant gardening, rain gardens, and shoreline stabilization to reduce runoff from their home landscape in an effort  to improve water quality. Available resources include: a guide to year round yard care,  partner map, and plant selector tool.

Metro Blooms: This private non-profit volunteer-based education organization promotes environmentally sound gardening and landscaping practices to improve the health of land and water resources. Available resources include: rain garden installation videos and an urban gardeners guide with tips on picking plants and maintenance.

Planting Trees

Trees add beauty to our community and increase the real estate value of our property. They provide shade that helps us conserve energy and keep Rochester cooler. Plus, they provide homes for wildlife, absorb noise, and reduce air pollution.

Residents, developers, builders, and landscapers can promote a cleaner environment by keeping trees in mind when making landscaping plans. Where existing trees can be saved, do so. Where none exist, consider planting trees in boulevards or neighborhood open spaces.

Visit the Forestry Division of the Rochester Park and Recreation Department webpage to learn more about:

• Planting boulevard trees
• Working on boulevard trees
• Citizen Forester training opportunities
• Citizen Pruner program
• Emerald Ash Borer and Dutch Elm Disease management

Perennial Ground Cover (and Habitat Restoration)

A diverse matrix of native grasses and forbs, perennial ground cover can be adapted to almost any growing condition. It can be low-growing if desired.  Planting perennial ground cover offers maximum ecological impact.

Visit Blue Thumb Website to learn how to get started.

Low Maintenance Turf

Low maintenance turf functions as a typical lawn but is made up of species that require less water, fertilizers, pesticides, and mowing than Kentucky bluegrass.  Most low maintenance lawns are a mix of fine and/or tall fescues, both cool season grasses that are shade and drought tolerant.

Visit Blue Thumb website to learn how to get started.

Pollinator Friendly (Bee) Lawns 

Bee lawns are made of a tight mix of grasses and low-growing perennials that can be used and treated much like a regular lawn but also offer high-quality nutrition to pollinators.

Visit Blue Thumb website to learn how to get started.

Shoreline Stabilization

Is your lakeshore eroding, unsightly or seem to be a goose magnet? Does your lake water turn green each summer? Native plants stabilize shorelines and act as a buffer between your yard and the lake. The roots of native plants filter and absorb polluted run-off and excess nutrients before they ever enter the water. What’s more, native plants anchor soil while beautifying your shoreline. The natural height and density of native plantings also discourage geese who prefer turf. Encourage neighbors to join you in keeping your lake clean. After all, protecting the lake enhances everyone’s enjoyment while preserving property values.  

Visit Blue Thumb website to learn how to get started.

Native plants are those that existed in Minnesota prior to the arrival of European settlement and are adapted to thrive in this area. Native grasses and wildflowers have deep, extensive root systems that hold the soil in place and prevent erosion. The roots help pull water into the ground rather than let it run off the landscape. Native vegetation also provides habitat and food for native wildlife.

A bioswale is formed when the landscape is intentionally shaped into a shallow channel that collects stormwater and allows it to infiltrate into the soil, typically within 24-48 hours. Bioswales are planted with native vegetation that increase the infiltration rates of the stormwater management feature. These stormwater management features can be used to direct stormwater to other BMPs.

A rain garden is a carefully planned depression in the landscape that collects rainwater and snowmelt. The garden will capture stormwater and allow it to soak into the ground with 24-48 hours. Rain gardens can be any size or shape and can easily integrate into landscaping plans.

When rainfall hits hard surfaces such as conventional concrete and asphalt, the water runs off, collecting pollutants along the way and ends up in storm drains and waterways. Pervious pavements allow water to pass through the surface and infiltrate into the soil below rather than running off impervious surfaces and into surface water.

Benefits of using pervious pavement include:

• Increased infiltration and groundwater recharge
• Reduced runoff rates
• Decreased pollution
• Decreased need for sand and salt during winter months, as moisture seeps into the surface and ice formation is reduced.

Types of pervious pavement:

• Pervious asphalt consists of small and large stones bound together by an asphalt binder. This creates large spaces in the rocks, allowing water to move downward.
• Pervious concrete is a mixture of Portland cement, fly ash, washed gravel, and water. Unlike conventional concrete, pervious concrete usually contains 15 to 25 percent air space, which is achieved by the addition of a fine, washed gravel.
• Pervious interlocking concrete pavers form patterns that create openings through which rainfall can infiltrate. These openings are typically filled with pea gravel.
• Plastic grid systems, sometimes referred to as geocells, consist of flexible plastic interlocking units that allow for infiltration through large gaps filled with gravel or topsoil planted with turf grass.

Maintenance

Permeable pavement maintenance should include an annual vacuum sweeping. Additional vacuuming may be necessary if sediment is visibly accumulating and clogging the pores of the surface. Some restriction on the use of sand or anti-skid material might be needed if repeated use shows an accumulation is problematic.

Stormwater ponds, infiltration basins, and infiltration trenches are constructed for the purpose of capturing and storing stormwater runoff. Capturing water in a pond, basin, or trench will help mitigate water quantity or quality issues downstream. According to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, these BMPs remove pollutants from incoming stormwater runoff through physical, biological, and chemical processes.

Infiltration trenches are long, narrow, shallow trenches with very permeable soils or rock that encourage groundwater recharge. The water captured in infiltration trenches is stored out-of-sight in the soils while it soaks into the ground.

Stormwater ponds and infiltration basins can store water for an extended period of time (a "wet pond") or store water temporarily (a "dry pond"). The City of Rochester owns and maintains over 150 ponds. The remaining 200+ ponds located within the city limits are owned and maintained by various entities including: private businesses, the State of Minnesota, and Olmsted County.

Learn more about the Adopt-A-Stormwater Pond program.