Changes

that are salt tolerant. Further consideration should be given to species that are both pollution and soil compaction tolerant given the location of many BMPs along roadways and near public spaces. Where possible, planting should done during the wettest seasons/months of the year (e.g., early spring and mid-to-late fall) to help minimize the need for irrigation (and staff time and equipment) during the establishment/warranty period. Use of deeply-rooting, drought-tolerant and native species will help minimize or eliminate the need for irrigation during the operating phase of the BMP life cycle. Planting with plugs, pots, caliper tree or shrub stock or sod is preferable over broadcast seeding approaches. Seeding requires stormwater practices to be kept off-line for a period of time following planting to allow germination and plant establishment to occur, and to be irrigated in the absence of adequate rainfall to ensure success. Good vegetation cover on the surface and side slopes of BMPs helps to maintain infiltration function, contributes to runoff volume reduction function through evapotranspiration, and helps prevent erosion of soil and/or mulch cover from flowing overland water.

that are salt tolerant. Further consideration should be given to species that are both pollution and soil compaction tolerant given the location of many BMPs along roadways and near public spaces. Where possible, planting should done during the wettest seasons/months of the year (e.g., early spring and mid-to-late fall) to help minimize the need for irrigation (and staff time and equipment) during the establishment/warranty period. Use of deeply-rooting, drought-tolerant and native species will help minimize or eliminate the need for irrigation during the operating phase of the BMP life cycle. Planting with plugs, pots, caliper tree or shrub stock or sod is preferable over broadcast seeding approaches. Seeding requires stormwater practices to be kept off-line for a period of time following planting to allow germination and plant establishment to occur, and to be irrigated in the absence of adequate rainfall to ensure success. Good vegetation cover on the surface and side slopes of BMPs helps to maintain infiltration function, contributes to runoff volume reduction function through evapotranspiration, and helps prevent erosion of soil and/or mulch cover from flowing overland water.

A cost-efficient strategy for planting plan design is to focus on landscape types, aesthetics and plants that the municipality or property owner already has the resources to establish, inspect and maintain.

Where a naturalized aesthetic is suitable, vegetated practices that feature native or perennial plants may be preferable as they require less maintenance than traditional, more manicured urban landscapes featuring turf grasses or annual-dominated decorative garden beds. <ref>DelGrosso, Z.L., Hodges, C.C., Dymond, R.L. 2019. Identifying Key Factors for Implementation and Maintenance of Green Stormwater Infrastructure. Journal of Sustainable Water in the Built Environment. 5(3): 05019002. https://ascelibrary.org/doi/10.1061/JSWBAY.0000878 </ref>  A cost-efficient strategy for planting plan design is to focus on landscape types, aesthetics and plants that the municipality or property owner already has the resources to establish, inspect and maintain.

Both common and botanical (i.e., species Latin name) names should be used on [[Planting design#Planting plans and specifications|planting plans]] so that inspectors and maintainers of the vegetation are better able to recognize or develop the means of recognizing the plants in the field and distinguishing them from pervasive weeds. Planting plans should also specify the planting method (e.g., seed vs. sod) and plant or container size (e.g., saplings vs. caliper tree; plugs vs. pots; bare root vs. root ball). Any deviations from the planting plan or species substitutions should be noted on as-built drawings/planting plans.

Both common and botanical (i.e., species Latin name) names should be used on [[Planting design#Planting plans and specifications|planting plans]] so that inspectors and maintainers of the vegetation are better able to recognize or develop the means of recognizing the plants in the field and distinguishing them from pervasive weeds. Planting plans should also specify the planting method (e.g., seed vs. sod) and plant or container size (e.g., saplings vs. caliper tree; plugs vs. pots; bare root vs. root ball). Any deviations from the planting plan or species substitutions should be noted on as-built drawings/planting plans.