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. |