A rain garden is a special type of garden designed to collect and absorb storm water runoff from a roof, sidewalk, or parking lot. Rain gardens, like regular gardens, are designed with beautiful perennials that come back year after year. Although the plants used in a rain garden prefer wetland habitats. Rain gardens are also designed with a “ponding area,” although the garden is neither a pond nor a wetland.

Rain gardens don’t have to be large, and they are easily cared for. They require no fertilizing, watering or mowing. Because they are water features, rain gardens attract butterflies, birds and other wildlife. Rain gardens are also environmentally friendly; they absorb and filter rainwater that would otherwise run off your property and down a storm drain, often carrying pollutants with it. By including a rain garden in your landscape, you can do your part in protecting one of our most important natural resources-clean water.

The Kellogg Bird Sanctuary is hosting Patricia Pennell from the West Michigan Environmental Action Council on Tuesday, April 24th to discuss what it takes to design a rain garden to benefit your garden or yard. The workshop starts at 6:30pm. Register by calling (269) 671-2510. Session fees are $10/adults, $8/seniors (65+) and $6/Sanctuary Members. This workshop is part of a landscaping series being offered by the Kellogg Bird Sanctuary. Visit www.kbs.msu.edu/birdsanctuary for more details.

source : battlecreekenquirer.com