Raingardens and Downspout Gardens

media release: Join us for a community learning and networking opportunity centered on creating, enhancing, and managing native plant gardens! As part of our newly established Native Garden Learning Hub, we invite you to explore valuable resources and receive expert guidance from knowledgeable volunteers. Each gathering, we’ll feature specialized topics related to native plant gardening, including garden preparation and design, planting for pollinators and other wildlife, native plant propagation, leave the leaves and other maintenance, seed collecting, and much more!

To kick off Wisconsin Stormwater Week, this month’s learning topic will focus on rain gardens and downspout gardens. Learn more about these special gardens, when they can be used, and how to install them. Planting plans and resources will be available and experts will be on hand to provide design help and answer questions. You can also watch the rainfall simulator in action to see how rain gardens work to prevent stormwater pollution.

Additional learning stations include:

Garden Design with expert help - 3D plant tokens to help you design and visualize a garden

Seed Collection - how to collect and store seeds to grow your own plants

Winter Invasive Species Management

Pollinator Friendly Fall Yard Practices - prepping your garden for fall/winter

Wild Ones Madison Info Table - Leave the Leaves initiative

Resources Library – books and information

Swap table – bring your own information to add and share

Together, we will share knowledge, build connections, and deepen our understanding of native plant gardens, all with the ultimate goal of expanding native habitats across our communities.

Cost:

$5 per person (proceeds support environmental education and native plant programming). To request fee assistance, email [email protected].

To register:

• Login or Create an Account in our online reservation system. If you are registering for someone else you must add them to your account as an "Additional Family Member" before proceeding.
• Select the "Native Plant Learning Hub" on the activities page and select the event date you would like to register for.
• Click "Add to Cart"
• Check the box(es) for each participant who will be attending
• Pay for item(s).

If you are having trouble registering, you can call the Lussier Family Heritage Center (608) 224-3604 to register over the phone.

<< REGISTER HERE >>