Plant Dane! Cost-Share Program
February 10, 2012
Marcia Hartwig, MAMSWaP Storm Water Education Coordinator, 608-224-3746, hartwig@countyofdane.com, www.myfairlakes.com
Plant Dane! Cost-Share Program
Marcia Hartwig, MAMSWaP Storm Water Education Coordinator
Now in its 8th year, the Plant Dane! Cost-Share Program provides native plants for rain gardens and flower beds through funding from the Graham-Martin Foundation. New for 2012: plants will now be delivered May 19! This is over a full month sooner than plants have been delivered in previous years. There are also nine new species for 2012, including nodding pink onion, silky aster, harebell, mistflower, prairie smoke, rough blazing star, marsh blazing star, royal catch fly and side oats grama. A seed mix covering 20-25 square feet for only $5 is also new for 2012. Order forms are online at www.myfairlakes.com/plantdane.aspx.
A workshop on rain gardens and rain barrels is scheduled for Saturday, April 14, 2012. The workshop will explain how rain gardens and rain barrels work, how to plan for and install them. These simple yet effective tools help conserve water and help rain soak into the ground instead of becoming pollution-carrying stormwater on its way to our lakes and streams. The cost for the workshop is $5. The registration form is also available online at www.myfairlakes.com/plantdane.aspx. Details of the Plant Dane! Cost-Share Program will also be covered for those interested in ordering plants for their gardens and yards.
Rain gardens are an attractive way to reduce lawn maintenance time and costs, beautify your yard and help your lakes, rivers and streams all at the same time. Many find replacing turf and exotic ornamentals with plants native to Wisconsin a rewarding landscape alternative. Once established, natives do not require the maintenance inputs that turf and ornamentals need. Yet, native wildflowers provide blooms from spring through fall and provide habitat for beneficial insects and birds.
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