The Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority is hosting two rain garden workshops in Bayfield in March.
Healthy Watershed Technician Hope Brock describes a rain garden as a shallow, sunken garden that draws rainwater as it flows across the landscape. The water is trapped in the rain garden and the nutrients in the water feed the plants, while the soil and plants in the garden filter the water, similar to the way a small wetland area works to reduce flooding and erosion.
Brock adds there is a way of calculating how much water you'll likely be collecting, which will dictate the size of rain garden that would be appropriate.
Brock says they chose Bayfield as the location for the workshops because they've been working there on the watershed plan. She says there was a lot of interest in the demonstration rain gardens they had in Bayfield last year.
The workshop for professional landscapers will run from 9:30am until 4pm on March 2 at the Bayfield Arena and Community Centre.
The workshop for homeowners will be held on March 25 from 10am until noon at the Bayfield Town Hall.
Anyone wishing to participate in the workshops can call Brock at the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority.