RAIN GARDEN PROTECTION from ADJACENT FLOWERING PLANTS - Ask Extension
I have a question regarding replacement of a grass area with new plantings of native prairie plants and/or non-maintenance grasses next to our rain ga...
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RAIN GARDEN PROTECTION from ADJACENT FLOWERING PLANTS #927929
Asked April 09, 2026, 2:32 PM EDT
I have a question regarding replacement of a grass area with new plantings of native prairie plants and/or non-maintenance grasses next to our rain garden, that is maintained professionally. The grass area we'd like to replace (between the rain garden and a sidewalk) is approximately 140' x 60'.
Our concern is flowering native plant seeds, in the newly planted area, "blowing" into the professionally-managed rain garden.
Ramsey County Minnesota
Expert Response
Thank you for writing.
I have a similar setup with a 60 wide rain garden on the boulevard across from a 90 wide lawn garden.
All gardens have microbiomes. Your raingarden will have one in the bottom where the soil is wettest, another in the sunniest and driest etc. Your lawn garden will not support plants that need wet roots etc.
Your plants will seek their own happy-place. Over the years, 80-85% of my professionally placed plants either died to be replanted a few feet away or moved on their own. For example, my gladiolas kept dying until I moved them 5 feet to a location where the soil on their roots was cooler and they got 5-6 hours per day of direct light instead of 8.
You will have to read your garden.
Don't weed plants out because they pop up in the "wrong" spot. Take that as a clue that this for them in this garden's microbiomes is the right spot. Adust the garden to match each plant's 'choice' that it has found its better or best place.
I have a similar setup with a 60 wide rain garden on the boulevard across from a 90 wide lawn garden.
All gardens have microbiomes. Your raingarden will have one in the bottom where the soil is wettest, another in the sunniest and driest etc. Your lawn garden will not support plants that need wet roots etc.
Your plants will seek their own happy-place. Over the years, 80-85% of my professionally placed plants either died to be replanted a few feet away or moved on their own. For example, my gladiolas kept dying until I moved them 5 feet to a location where the soil on their roots was cooler and they got 5-6 hours per day of direct light instead of 8.
You will have to read your garden.
Don't weed plants out because they pop up in the "wrong" spot. Take that as a clue that this for them in this garden's microbiomes is the right spot. Adust the garden to match each plant's 'choice' that it has found its better or best place.
