"Rain Gardens: Plan, Prep, Plant, Maintain" Virtual Workshop March 26
- 1 hour ago
- 2 min read
Looking to add some color to your yard?
Want to help reduce pollutants in your neighborhood?
We can help!
The Scott SWCD is hosting a free introductory workshop to teach you the basics of creating a raingarden. The course will include great introductory information for homeowners and give the resources needed to begin garden projects. Resources will include free technical assistance to design your project, suppliers of equipment & native plants, and take-home information for your reference.
When:Â Thursday, March 26th
6:00-7:00pm
Where:Â Online webinar
Must RSVP for the link
The workshop will include
The importance of water quality
How rain gardens can help reduce pollutants and runoff
How to plan where to put your raingarden
How to construct a raingarden, step by step
Information on native plant species perfect for wet conditions and pollinators
Maintaining your raingarden through each season
Information on grants available and natural resource professional expertise
And more!
The workshop is free, but registration is required for the webinar link.
RSVP online HERE
or by calling Scott SWCD Education Specialist, Shelby Roberts, at 952-492-5448.
What is a Rain Garden?
A rain garden is a shallow, landscaped depression planted with native vegetation that captures, filters, and absorbs stormwater runoff from impervious surfaces like roofs, driveways, and sidewalks low area.
A rain garden:
Removes pollutants from water before it enters surface waters.
Prevents erosion by holding soil in place with its deep roots.
Attracts birds and butterflies.
Requires little watering and maintenance once established.
Rain gardens are perfect for those that want to capture storm water runoff and add pollinator habitat in the same space. Because of their water-retention capabilities, rain gardens require more prep work than pollinator gardens and should designed with drainage in mind. Scott SWCD technicians can help with design and drainage testing.
Want help building a rain garden but can't attend the webinar?
The Scott SWCD is here to help! SWCD staff provide free, expert technical assistance for things like seed plans, supply vendors, project planting, and maintenance. One of the best ways to start your project planning is by scheduling a site visit with a Scott SWCD technician.
Site visits can be scheduled anytime, but are typically conducted after spring thaw and before the first winter freeze, Monday-Friday from 8:00am - 3:00pm. A typical site visit will last from ~45 minutes to 1 hour.
All site visits and technical assistance for natural landscaping projects are FREEÂ for Scott County residents, and can be done with or without signing up for grants.
Grants for materials and installation may also be available!
If you live in Scott County, incentives of $2/sq ft up to $1,000 may be available to help offset the costs of plants, compost, and labor when you install your raingarden. Inquire during your site visit for more information.
Funding for these educational workshops and the Scott SWCD’s Natural Landscaping Program are made possible by the Scott Clean Water Education Program’s partners: The Scott Watershed Management Organization (SWMO), the Prior Lake-Spring Lake Watershed District (PLSLWD), the Lower Minnesota River Watershed District (LMRWD), and the Scott SWCD.
