Become a Master Rain Gardener right here in Manchester — or online!

A rain garden can add beauty and utility to your space.

by Marsha Chartrand

Did you know that a rain garden was started this fall in Kirk Park, near downtown Manchester? Are you interested in becoming a Master Rain Gardener? We reported last month that an in-person rain garden class was being scheduled for Manchester. Now an online option has been added as well as a tour of Washtenaw rain gardens!

Protect your home against flooding and help birds and butterflies with a RAIN garden! They will teach you everything you need to know to create your own rain garden. That includes lessons learned from more than 2,000 rain gardens built by homeowners. Learn what works and what doesn’t. Ask questions in the live classes. Visit a rain garden in person. Neighborhood virtual breakout rooms will be established as well as a Facebook group for discussion/homework. Earn your certification — including a T-shirt and sign — by building your own rain garden or adopting a public rain garden.

The Manchester in-person class will be held in April — every Friday afternoon, April 4, 11, 18, and 25, and May 2, 1–3:30pm (office hours noon–1pm). Classes will be held at Manchester District Library  located at 912 City Rd. Optional field trips and plant swap opportunities will be available to students. The cost is $89 per person. There is a limit of 20 students per class, and there will be homework assigned. Potluck-style snacks will be provided by staff and classmates! To register visit www.riverraisin.org/mrg-manchester.

Want to get started early in the season or unable to attend in-person classes? Online classes will begin on Thursdays, starting January 30 and going through February 27, 2025, from 10am to noon (office hours 9–10am. To register, visit https://www.hrwc.org and click on “What we do” at the top of the page, then select “programs”. Scroll down to “Green infrastructure” and click on it. Then click on “Rain Catchers Collective”. Scroll down and click on “Sign up for the Southeastern Michigan’s Rain Garden Class” button.

A tour of Washtenaw County rain gardens will be held on Saturday, February 1, 1pm to 2:30pm, with more tours to be determined.

Co-hosts include Washtenaw County Water Resources, Clinton River Watershed Council, Friends of the Rouge, Huron-Clinton Metroparks, Huron River Watershed Council, Oakland County Water Resources, and the River Raisin Watershed Council.

For more information, see www.MasterRainGardener.org; for questions about either class, contact Susan Bryan (bryans@washtenaw.org).

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by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.