The RainScapes program has workshops for Property Owners interested in learning about how to reduce runoff and solve their site issues in a way that reduces stormwater runoff.
RainScapes Workshops for Property Owners
Workshop Dates and Times:
Thursday, April 3, 2014, 4 – 7pm (Course #272199) OR
Friday, April 4, 2014 10 am – 1 pm (Course #272249)
Where: Brookside Gardens Visitors Center Adult Classroom
Fee: $12 for Friends of Brookside Gardens or $15 for non-members
Registration required at www.parkpass.org (Registration opens February 15th)
Workshop: Planning on doing some spring landscaping? Before you do, make sure to attend this workshop so you can learn how to turn a simple landscape into an environmentally friendly RainScape!
This workshop will focus on our most effective RainScape: rain gardens! Rain gardens are saucer shaped gardens designed to temporarily pond water after a rainstorm. Instead of polluted rainwater running off your land and into our streams, the rain garden gives that water a chance to soak into the ground. The soil in the rain garden filters and cleans the water.
At this workshop you will learn how to evaluate your yard and gain the knowledge needed to create a rain garden. You will also learn how to apply for a rebate for your rain garden from Montgomery County’s RainScapes Rewards rebate program. Each attendee will be provided with light refreshments as well as a few native plants they can take home to help start transforming their landscape into a RainScape!
RainScapes “Make and Take” Rain Barrel Workshop
NOTE LOCATION! This class is offered at Montgomery College in Germantown.
Workshop Dates and Times:
Friday, April 25, 2014, 10am – 1pm (Course #272299) OR
Saturday, April 26, 2014, 10am – 1pm (Course #272349)
Where: Montgomery College Germantown Campus, Greenhouse
Fee: $12 for Friends of Brookside Gardens or $15 for non-members
Registration required at www.parkpass.org (Registration opens February 15th)
About this Workshop: Do you want to lessen the amount of tap water you use to water your garden? Do you want to help the environment by slowing down stormwater? If the answer is yes to either of those questions then what you want is a rain barrel!
A rain barrel collects and temporarily stores rainwater from your rooftop downspout. Every gallon you capture is one less gallon going down the storm drain and you also end up with a free source of water for watering your garden.
At this workshop you will learn the importance of stormwater control and you will gain the knowledge necessary to install your own rain barrel. You will also learn how to apply for a rebate for future rain barrels from Montgomery County’s RainScapes Rewards rebate program. Each attendee will be provided with light refreshments as well as one rain barrel with parts (one per household) to take home with them. Remember to bring a vehicle large enough to carry a 55-gallon (2’ x 3’) barrel home!
RainScapes Conservation Landscape Workshop
Workshop Dates and Times:
Thursday, May 15, 2014, 4 – 7pm (Course #272350) OR
Friday, May 16, 2014, 10am – 1pm (Course #272351)
Where: Brookside Gardens, Visitors Center Adult Classroom
Fee: $12 for Friends of Brookside Gardens or $15 for non-members
Registration required at www.parkpass.org (Registration opens February 15th)
About this Workshop: This workshop will focus on conservation landscapes which are gardens planted with native plants. The native plants are deep rooted so they help slow down and soak up the rainwater. Instead of polluted rain water running off your land and into our streams, the conservation landscape gives that water a chance to soak into the ground.
Attendees will learn how to evaluate their yard and gain the knowledge needed to create a conservation landscape. They will also learn how to apply for a rebate for conservation landscaping from Montgomery County’s RainScapes Rewards rebate program. Light refreshments will be provided as well as a few native plants, for taking home to help start transforming their landscape into a RainScape!
Note: Registration for spring and summer classes begins February 15th. Register by calling 301-962-1451, using ParkPASS.org, or in person at the Brookside Gardens Visitors Center. When registering, note the course number.