Native Ecosystem Restoration

The City of Mendota Heights supports and revives its native plant areas and green spaces on public property.  The City encourages homeowners to practice long-lasting landscape methods as well.

Sustainable landscape practices provide several benefits:

  • Aesthetic enhancement
  • Pollinator and wildlife habitats
  • Habitat and greenspace connectivity to other public and private green spaces and corridors
  • Reduction in mowing, maintenance, and pesticide and herbicide use
  • Stormwater treatment
  • Improved surface water quality in our lakes, rivers, streams, and wetlands 
  • Invasive species control
    • If you believe you have an invasive plant or tree on your property, contact City Staff for help and information.   

Sustainable Landscaping

Sustainable landscapes use methods that reduce challenging yard care and give ways to protect and improve our natural resources. Sustainable landscaping requires care and maintenance, but usually takes less time and money.

When planning your sustainable lawn and landscape, consider the following:

  • Current sun exposure, soil content, moisture, utility and easement locations, areas of public Right-of-Way, and irrigation systems.
  • Areas that need screening, high-traffic areas, views that you would like to preserve, or areas that could provide wildlife enhancement.
  • The right light, soil, and moisture conditions when choosing where to place trees, shrubs, and plants.
  • Change unused areas to low-maintenance vegetation areas, such as perennial ground-covers, native grasses and flowers, native trees and shrubs, and no-mow lawn.
  • Look for areas that can capture stormwater runoff. Consider planting a raingarden, vegetative swale, or using rain barrels.
  • Strategic planting of trees near your home can provide energy-savings. Plant shade trees on the south and west sides of your home to allow shading and cooling in the summer. Plant windbreaks, such as rows of evergreen trees, on the north and west side of your home to protect from cold winter winds.
  • Get your soil tested. Adding compost into your soil helps improve moisture and nutrient conditions. Healthy soil means healthy vegetation and less stormwater runoff.
  • Choose plant and tree species that are native, or hardy perennials that are acclimated to our climate or Zone. Mendota Heights falls within Zone 4b of the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.
  • Plant for wildlife. Choose native plants, shrubs, and trees that give food and shelter for birds, butterflies, pollinators, and other wildlife.

Consider Incorporating these Sustainable Landscaping Practices:

  • Reduce watering. Watering less encourages deeper roots, creates drought-tolerance, and produces healthier lawns.
  • Install a rain barrel at downspouts to capture and reuse rainwater for watering your garden.
  • Mow to a minimum height of 4”. The height of your lawn is correlated to the depth of its root system in traditional turf grass species. Keeping your grass at a height of 4” or longer creates deeper root systems that absorb more water and nutrients, and are more drought-tolerant.
  • Use the right amount of mulch around trees, shrubs, and other landscaping. Using mulch around trees, shrubs, and plants helps to keep moisture and reduce weeds, but you should only need 2-3” of mulch to meet this. Using too much mulch can take nitrogen and other nutrients away from plants during decomposition, as well as attract harmful insects and burrowing animals such as moles. Do not pile mulch against tree trunks. Instead, place it in the shape of a donut, with mulch pulled away from the bark of the tree.
  • Create a backyard compost pile. For more information, see Composting in Home Gardens.
  • Practice proper tree care to prevent disease and keep your trees healthy.
  • Avoid pesticide and herbicide use.  Apply herbicides only when winds are calm, and never before or during a rain event. Do not apply herbicide near or in surface waters. A permit is required for any herbicide use in or near a MN DNR public water.

Resources