Free Rain Garden Workshop

On Monday, April 11 2016, the Hampton Conservation Commission and the NHDES Soak Up the Rain program will be sponsoring a free workshop for people who want to learn about rain gardens and soil testing. The workshop will be held from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm at the St. James Lodge (77 Tide Mill Rd). Light snacks and refreshments will be provided.

Workshop participants will learn how to evaluate their property’s potential for a rain garden, as well as the basics of rain garden design, installation, and maintenance. There will also be information provided about Hampton’s cost-share grants for rain garden installations. Through these grants, property owners can save money and get help with the design and installation of their rain gardens, and with the purchase of plants and soil amendments.

Creating a rain garden is a great way for homeowners, schools, businesses, churches, and other organizations to help protect our rivers, streams, ponds, salt marshes, and ocean. A rain garden is a shallow depression planted with native plants and grasses. These gardens are sustainable, affordable, and particularly effective at capturing rain water, preventing flooding, creating habitat for local wildlife (birds and butterflies), and filtering up to 80 percent of pollutants (household fertilizers, pesticides, oils, etc.) from our stormwater runoff. According to the Center for Watershed Protection, 30 percent more water soaks into the ground from a rain garden than from the same size area of lawn. So if you have flooding issues in your yard, rain gardens may be a valuable tool in helping to resolve those problems.

A rain garden can also help you save money by reducing your outdoor water use while keeping your landscape healthy and green.

You will also learn what you need to do to get your soil tested by the UNH Cooperative Extension. Testing your garden and/or lawn soil will help you learn if your soil needs amending to support the plants you want to grow, and/or how to fertilize appropriately for vibrant, healthy plants or a lawn. The Conservation Commission will cover 50% of the $17 soil testing fee for the first 20 Hampton property owners who apply. Soil samples will be accepted at the Hampton Garden Club’s annual plant sale at Town Hall on Saturday, May 21.

Advance registration for the workshop is preferred but not mandatory. To sign up, email rdionne@town.hampton.nh.us or call 603-929-5808.