FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WOWO) – This spring, Fort Wayne area residents will have several opportunities to take advantage of free Rain Garden workshops.

Attendees are encouraged to bring photos of how storm water impacts their yard and learn how to build a rain garden that might reduce the standing water.

Rain gardens 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, as their root systems will break up soil, allowing more water to soak in.

Each Rain Garden workshop will be taught by a City landscape architect, and dates include:

• Saturday, March 17 @ 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
  • McMillen Park Community Center – Red Room
    • 3901 Abbott Street
• Saturday, April 7 @ 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
  • Manchester University School of Pharmacy – Room 105
    • 10627 Diebold Road
• Thursday, April 19 @ 6-9 p.m.
  • Citizens Square – Omni Room
    • 200 E. Berry Street
• Saturday, April 28 @ 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
  • Aboite Branch Library
    • 5630 Coventry Lane

Those who attend a Rain Garden Workshop will be able to apply for a cash incentive to help with the cost of installing a rain garden.

To register, call 311.