Maintaining your BMP

This page has been developed to support your efforts in maintaining and managing stormwater Best Management Practices (BMP's) on your property. Here is a link to the Sustainable Landscape Maintenance Manual For the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. This manual offers comprehensive technical information on an array of BMP's, and the information on this page has been pulled from the manual for quick access.

Anyone who has a stormwater BMP knows that it is not a static system--these practices evolve throughout their life cycle and require time, and sometimes extra money, to maintain them. You first must decide if you (the homeowner) will be maintaining your practice or a hired professional. You can follow the guidelines on this page or use landscape companies that are trained in maintaining stormwater practices, such as those certified as NGCIP or Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professionals. 

New in 2026 - Hands on Maintenance Workshops

We partnered with the Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional program to offer our first maintenance workshop at no cost on April 14, 2026 from 6–8 PM at Robinson Nature Center. We plan to host another workshop in the fall of 2026. Check back for updates. 

Workshop materials:

• Vegetated Stormwater Practices: Maintenance Assessment Checklist
• Recommended Maintenance for Rain Gardens
• Recommended Maintenance for Conservation Landscaping
• Recommended Maintenance for Permeable Pavers
• Annual Landscape Maintenance Plan
• Updated list of Howard County Certified CBLP's

Rain Gardens:

• Seasonal Maintenance
• Monitoring for Sedimentation
• Inspecting your Rain Garden

Other BMP's:

• Dry Wells & Other Infiltration Practices
• Permeable Pavers
• Rainwater Harvesting

Information on Sustainable Landscaping Best Practices:

• Procuring Materials Sustainably
• Sustainable Water Use/Irrigation
• Integrated Pest Management
• Plant Health Care
• Invasive Species Control
• Lawn Care
  • ​Alternative Lawns