›› Marika Smith

If the rainy days of early spring are getting you down, try thinking about rainwater as your friend and ally in the garden!

In Victoria, we receive an average of 2 feet of rainfall each year. Most of the rain that hits our properties and streets is flushed away through a complex ­stormwater ­collection infrastructure and pours into harbours, lakes and river ­systems, often taking harmful pollutants and heavy metals with it. By collecting and storing ­rainwater in your property, you can help prevent these pollutants from entering our ­waterways and treat rainwater as the ­precious resource it is.

Rainwater collected from a rooftop can be a high quality water source, as it ­contains none of the chlorine found in ­centralized water supplies and is the ­perfect ­temperature for plants, which makes it ideal for use in the garden. Stored ­rainwater provides an ideal source of ­readily ­available water, particularly during long dry ­summers or in locations facing ­declining ­groundwater levels.

Rain ­gardens, ­permeable paving, green roofs, rain barrels, cisterns and infiltration chambers are all examples of rainwater management methods. They can create and enhance natural, beautiful landscapes and public spaces.

Join us in our fabulous ­demonstration gardens to learn more about rainwater harvesting systems and practices in your community. In partnership with the CRD, we’ll be bringing together ­community and municipal groups involved in rainwater management, as well as hosting two free one hour workshops about ­stormwater ­education, rainwater harvesting, and choosing the right systems. You will be entered to win a free rain barrel too!

When: Saturday, April 12, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Where: Compost Education Centre, 1216 North Park St

Register for one of our free rainwater ­harvesting workshops at composteducation.eventbrite.ca.