Lakescaping: Environmentally Conscious Lakeshore Landscaping
by Margaret A. Haapoja
Ducklings dip in shallow water among the bulrushes while tiny frogs hop across a path. Butterflies alight on purple blossoms of swamp milkweed and bees buzz amongst the wild bergamot. All these critters share the shoreline of Sharon and Bob Streetar’s Sugar Lake property—all drawn there by the couple’s decision to create a natural habitat on what was once manicured lawn.
When the Streetars bought their home in 1988, they were thrilled with the broad lawn that stretched right down to the water. “We continued to mow and fertilize until we began to understand the whole scheme of things,” remembers Sharon. “We weren’t out to destroy the environment. We just didn’t know any better.”
Like the Streetars, Kim and Jay Jamtgaard, owners of Wildwood Resort on Bass Lake near Cohasset, joined a growing number of people restoring natural vegetation to their lakeshore. “We were losing an alarming amount of shoreline, and we were mowing right down to the shore like all the previous owners,” says Kim. After attending lakeshore landscaping sessions, the couple signed up for a three year shoreline restoration project with cost-sharing through the Itasca County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWDC.)
Minnesota was in the vanguard of the lakeshore renovation movement back in 1992 when Carrol Henderson, supervisor of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resource’s (DNR) Nongame Wildlife Program, began to realize that undeveloped lakeshore was becoming one of the most endangered ecosystems in the state. Henderson co-authored the book, Lakescaping for Wildlife and Water Quality, now considered the lakeshore restoration bible. According to Henderson, a multitude of benefits accrue from lakescaping: less yardwork, less erosion, cleaner water for swimming and fishing, more wildlife sightings and fewer geese in your yard.
Where to Begin
To get an idea of what a natural shoreline should look like, study the undeveloped areas along your lake or river and visit with other landowners who have restored their shoreline. Attend a lake association meeting or contact the DNR or SWCD for a list of people who have naturalized their lakeshore. Survey the land around your lake or stream and make a list of plants and the location where they’re growing. Take pictures. Examine your own site and notice soil type, moisture, water and light levels. Make a list of your own utility and recreational needs.
Remember that permits often are required when collecting plants from and introducing them into public waters. DNR and SWCD staff can help locate sources of transplants and will advise you on where and how to plant them.
What about a Dock and Beach?
Henderson recommends that people who own 100 feet of lakeshore frontage naturalize 75 feet of it and use the remainder for dock and swimming area. The naturalized buffer zone should be at least 25 feet deep from the water’s edge. The Streetars re-vegetated most of their 135 feet leaving a small area of sand beach and space for their dock and pontoon boat.
When you remove vegetation from the water, clear a path through aquatic plants at an angle so remaining plants will help break the waves coming into the shoreline. To reduce erosion, avoid designing trails to run straight downhill. Instead angle trails across a slope.
Keeping the Scenic View
Proper landscaping allows you to plant native trees and shrubs without spoiling your view of the water. Extension specialist Mary Blickenderfer helped the Jamtgaards select plants that are attractive yet do not obstruct guests’ view of the lake. Shrubs or trees on a 7% slope can grow as high as 8-10 feet without blocking a view from a deck.
Selecting the Right Plants
Experts advise selecting native plants that grow in your immediate area or within no more than 50-75 miles. Before selecting plants, ask the following questions:
1. What is my property’s soil type? Soil-testing kits are available through the county extension office. Click here for a list of Minnesota county extension offices.
2. What direction does my property face? Some plants survive in the sun on south-facing shore while others prefer a northern exposure.
3. From which direction are the prevailing winds? The Jamptgaard’s planted bulrushes to break up waves that were eroding their shoreline from the northwest winds.
4. How big are the waves that break on my shore. Bulrush withstands waves better than wild rice, an annual with a small root system.
5. How steep is the slope in my yard? Choose vegetation with roots that stabilize steep banks.
Plants to Attract Wildlife
Books such as Landscaping for Wildlife, also by Henderson, can help you choose plants preferred by wildlife. For example, 66 species of wildlife use smartweed, 40 species use pondweed and 23 go for wild rice. Elderberry attracts birds as soon as the berries are ripe, and American highbush cranberry provides winter fruit birds enjoy.
Creation of a buffer zone between the lawn and the lake helps deter some wildlife. Because geese suspect predators are hiding in the tall grass, they will avoid a yard protected by a naturalized buffer zone.
Lakescaping isn’t a panacea for every problem encountered by lakeshore owners, and patience is required during the awkward initial stage when plants are getting established. Shore restoration projects involve hard work, but they are well worth the effort. “It’s been a wonderful experience, a beautiful addition to our property,” says Kim Jamtgaard. “It’s certainly the smart thing to do in terms of saving our shoreline. All of us are concerned about lake quality, and obviously lake quality has an impact on our property values, so the smart thing to do is to maintain our property in a way that protects the lake.”
Lakescaping Resources
- For more information about lakescaping, contact Andy Arens, Shoreland Specialist at the Itasca County Soil & Water Conservation District at 218-326-0017 or email him at andy.arens@mn.nacdnet.net. Mary Blickenderfer, Extension Educator in Shoreland Education can be reached at 218-327-4126 or blick002@umn.edu or call Heather Baird, Shoreland Specialist, Brainerd DNR at 218-833-8648.
- Restore Your Shore, CD-ROM produced by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources as a guide to protecting and restoring the natural beauty of your shoreland. Contact Minnesota’s Bookstore at 800-657-3757.
- “The Water’s Edge,” 12-page brochure about improving lakeshore habitat, available from Wisconsin or Minnesota DNR, 651-296-2835.
Low Maintenance Lakescaping Tips
• Maintain a natural shoreline or restore an altered one.
• Include a 3-story, native plant buffer zone at least 15-25’ wide.
• Add native trees to help stem runoff, reduce erosion, frame or edit views, and provide wildlife habitat.
• Plant native grasses and wildflowers instead of high-maintenance lawns.
• Cultivate aquatic plants to stabilize shoreline and make a home for more aquatic wildlife.
• Clear no more than 25% of shoreline for boat docks or beaches.
• Native vegetation may grow back naturally if not mowed or treated.
• Order plants that originate within 200 miles of your site, and plant them in the
appropriate shoreland zone.
• If planting below the ordinary high water level, a DNR permit is required.
• Do not use any fertilizer anywhere near the shoreline.
• Avoid any landscaping activity that catches or directs water instead of letting it run diffused over the land and allowing it to soak in and be absorbed by the plants.
• Mulches hold in moisture, help with weed control and protect the plants in winter and summer.
• Proper plant selection and proper plant placement work together to lower maintenance.
Sources of Native Plant Species
For a list of native plant sources, contact your county extension office or the Itasca County SWCD. Friday, April 24 is the last day to order from the SWCD’s annual native plant sale.
READER RESPONSES:
"Good article, but why the hating on the geese? I like 'em hanging around." - Marty Hallock
"Great article and good links. I really hope this trend catches on; I think it would do a lot to improve the beauty of the area. Thanks. - Carl Sewall
Ducklings dip in shallow water among the bulrushes while tiny frogs hop across a path. Butterflies alight on purple blossoms of swamp milkweed and bees buzz amongst the wild bergamot. All these critters share the shoreline of Sharon and Bob Streetar’s Sugar Lake property—all drawn there by the couple’s decision to create a natural habitat on what was once manicured lawn.
When the Streetars bought their home in 1988, they were thrilled with the broad lawn that stretched right down to the water. “We continued to mow and fertilize until we began to understand the whole scheme of things,” remembers Sharon. “We weren’t out to destroy the environment. We just didn’t know any better.”
Like the Streetars, Kim and Jay Jamtgaard, owners of Wildwood Resort on Bass Lake near Cohasset, joined a growing number of people restoring natural vegetation to their lakeshore. “We were losing an alarming amount of shoreline, and we were mowing right down to the shore like all the previous owners,” says Kim. After attending lakeshore landscaping sessions, the couple signed up for a three year shoreline restoration project with cost-sharing through the Itasca County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWDC.)
Minnesota was in the vanguard of the lakeshore renovation movement back in 1992 when Carrol Henderson, supervisor of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resource’s (DNR) Nongame Wildlife Program, began to realize that undeveloped lakeshore was becoming one of the most endangered ecosystems in the state. Henderson co-authored the book, Lakescaping for Wildlife and Water Quality, now considered the lakeshore restoration bible. According to Henderson, a multitude of benefits accrue from lakescaping: less yardwork, less erosion, cleaner water for swimming and fishing, more wildlife sightings and fewer geese in your yard.
Where to Begin
To get an idea of what a natural shoreline should look like, study the undeveloped areas along your lake or river and visit with other landowners who have restored their shoreline. Attend a lake association meeting or contact the DNR or SWCD for a list of people who have naturalized their lakeshore. Survey the land around your lake or stream and make a list of plants and the location where they’re growing. Take pictures. Examine your own site and notice soil type, moisture, water and light levels. Make a list of your own utility and recreational needs.
Remember that permits often are required when collecting plants from and introducing them into public waters. DNR and SWCD staff can help locate sources of transplants and will advise you on where and how to plant them.
What about a Dock and Beach?
Henderson recommends that people who own 100 feet of lakeshore frontage naturalize 75 feet of it and use the remainder for dock and swimming area. The naturalized buffer zone should be at least 25 feet deep from the water’s edge. The Streetars re-vegetated most of their 135 feet leaving a small area of sand beach and space for their dock and pontoon boat.
When you remove vegetation from the water, clear a path through aquatic plants at an angle so remaining plants will help break the waves coming into the shoreline. To reduce erosion, avoid designing trails to run straight downhill. Instead angle trails across a slope.
Keeping the Scenic View
Proper landscaping allows you to plant native trees and shrubs without spoiling your view of the water. Extension specialist Mary Blickenderfer helped the Jamtgaards select plants that are attractive yet do not obstruct guests’ view of the lake. Shrubs or trees on a 7% slope can grow as high as 8-10 feet without blocking a view from a deck.
Selecting the Right Plants
Experts advise selecting native plants that grow in your immediate area or within no more than 50-75 miles. Before selecting plants, ask the following questions:
1. What is my property’s soil type? Soil-testing kits are available through the county extension office. Click here for a list of Minnesota county extension offices.
2. What direction does my property face? Some plants survive in the sun on south-facing shore while others prefer a northern exposure.
3. From which direction are the prevailing winds? The Jamptgaard’s planted bulrushes to break up waves that were eroding their shoreline from the northwest winds.
4. How big are the waves that break on my shore. Bulrush withstands waves better than wild rice, an annual with a small root system.
5. How steep is the slope in my yard? Choose vegetation with roots that stabilize steep banks.
Plants to Attract Wildlife
Books such as Landscaping for Wildlife, also by Henderson, can help you choose plants preferred by wildlife. For example, 66 species of wildlife use smartweed, 40 species use pondweed and 23 go for wild rice. Elderberry attracts birds as soon as the berries are ripe, and American highbush cranberry provides winter fruit birds enjoy.
Creation of a buffer zone between the lawn and the lake helps deter some wildlife. Because geese suspect predators are hiding in the tall grass, they will avoid a yard protected by a naturalized buffer zone.
Lakescaping isn’t a panacea for every problem encountered by lakeshore owners, and patience is required during the awkward initial stage when plants are getting established. Shore restoration projects involve hard work, but they are well worth the effort. “It’s been a wonderful experience, a beautiful addition to our property,” says Kim Jamtgaard. “It’s certainly the smart thing to do in terms of saving our shoreline. All of us are concerned about lake quality, and obviously lake quality has an impact on our property values, so the smart thing to do is to maintain our property in a way that protects the lake.”
Lakescaping Resources
- For more information about lakescaping, contact Andy Arens, Shoreland Specialist at the Itasca County Soil & Water Conservation District at 218-326-0017 or email him at andy.arens@mn.nacdnet.net. Mary Blickenderfer, Extension Educator in Shoreland Education can be reached at 218-327-4126 or blick002@umn.edu or call Heather Baird, Shoreland Specialist, Brainerd DNR at 218-833-8648.
- Restore Your Shore, CD-ROM produced by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources as a guide to protecting and restoring the natural beauty of your shoreland. Contact Minnesota’s Bookstore at 800-657-3757.
- “The Water’s Edge,” 12-page brochure about improving lakeshore habitat, available from Wisconsin or Minnesota DNR, 651-296-2835.
Low Maintenance Lakescaping Tips
• Maintain a natural shoreline or restore an altered one.
• Include a 3-story, native plant buffer zone at least 15-25’ wide.
• Add native trees to help stem runoff, reduce erosion, frame or edit views, and provide wildlife habitat.
• Plant native grasses and wildflowers instead of high-maintenance lawns.
• Cultivate aquatic plants to stabilize shoreline and make a home for more aquatic wildlife.
• Clear no more than 25% of shoreline for boat docks or beaches.
• Native vegetation may grow back naturally if not mowed or treated.
• Order plants that originate within 200 miles of your site, and plant them in the
appropriate shoreland zone.
• If planting below the ordinary high water level, a DNR permit is required.
• Do not use any fertilizer anywhere near the shoreline.
• Avoid any landscaping activity that catches or directs water instead of letting it run diffused over the land and allowing it to soak in and be absorbed by the plants.
• Mulches hold in moisture, help with weed control and protect the plants in winter and summer.
• Proper plant selection and proper plant placement work together to lower maintenance.
Sources of Native Plant Species
For a list of native plant sources, contact your county extension office or the Itasca County SWCD. Friday, April 24 is the last day to order from the SWCD’s annual native plant sale.
READER RESPONSES:
"Good article, but why the hating on the geese? I like 'em hanging around." - Marty Hallock
***
"Great article and good links. I really hope this trend catches on; I think it would do a lot to improve the beauty of the area. Thanks. - Carl Sewall
***
posted by Katie Carter at
6:44 AM
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