Getting to the root of the problem
Fort Wayne, Ind. – As part of the effort to encourage residents to install rain gardens on their property, Fort Wayne City Utilities is partnering with Riverview Nursery to provide a source of native perennial plants.
True native plants can be difficult to find. Riverview is committed to rain gardens and has stocked many native plants to support Fort Wayne's efforts. These native perennial plants have been grown from seeds gathered at sites around Fort Wayne.
Riverview, in cooperation with City Utilities, will conduct two native plant sales -- on May 25 and June 13 -- as part of the Catching Rain Fort Wayne rain garden program.
Plant Sale Dates:
Saturday, May 25 from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Catching Rain at Salomon Farm Park
817 W. Dupont Road
Thursday, June 13 from 3:00 – 7:00 PM
Camp Scott Wetlands (as part of World Environment Day)
3615 Oxford Street
Riverview Nursery will be selling many of the native plants recommended by the City Utilities Rain Garden program. To make selecting rain garden plants as easy as possible, Riverview Nursery will be offering a pre-assembled rain garden kit containing the plants needed for a 60 square foot rain garden.
Putting Rain Gardens to Work
Rain gardens are landscaped areas that help manage and control rain water runoff by containing it where it falls and giving the water an opportunity to soak into the ground, rather than enter a sewer. Native plants are recommended for rain garden planting because they have robust root systems that break up soil, allowing more water to soak in. Native plants also provide nectar, food and habitat for native butterflies, hummingbirds and songbirds.
Those interested in learning about rain gardens and how to build them still have several opportunities to attend free workshops offered by City Utilities.
Workshop Dates:
Thursday, May 23 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Citizens Square Omni Room – Room 045
200 E. Berry Street
Saturday, June 1 10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Georgetown Library
6600 E. State Blvd.
Thursday, June 6 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Citizens Square Omni Room – Room 045
200 E. Berry Street
Residents who own property in the City of Fort Wayne are eligible to apply for a cash incentive to help offset some of the costs of installing a rain garden when they attend a rain garden workshop. To register for a workshop or for more information, call 427-1381. Much more information about rain gardens may be found at City Utilities' rain garden website at www.CatchingRainFW.org.