Caring for your plants
Once a rain garden is built, new plants need to be watered regularly for the first two to three years until they are well established. Mulching annually conserves water and reduces weeds until the plants close in over the soil. You can also help the plants to establish by weeding in the spring, summer, and fall months. If you use native plants and mulch them with leaf litter or arborist wood ship mulch, there should be no need for fertilizers, herbicides or pesticides. Keep the inlet and outlet clear of debris and well protected from erosion with rocks. Appropriate care and regular maintenance can protect your investment for many years to come.

- Page 9 from Managing Rainwater: A Homeowners Improvement Guide for Low Impact Development (LID) in Bothell