Gardeners are always looking for ways to keep their gardens green. Learn how to truly “green” your garden and manage both stormwater and surface runoff when Adkins Arboretum offers Gardening for a Rainy Day: Using Rain Gardens and Rain Barrels for a “Greener” Landscape, Sat., April 4, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The morning session will address the simple technology of harvesting rainwater with rain barrels. This basic practice recycles barrels from the food industry and helps save on water bills while ensuring that plants don’t suffer in droughts.

The afternoon session will explore the use, design and function of rain gardens in public and private landscapes. Rain gardens are an increasingly popular method for controlling and managing stormwater and roof and surface runoff. They are innovative landscape features that blend function and aesthetics, conserve water and employ native plants to help improve water quality.

The workshop fee is $20 for Arboretum members and $25 for the general public. Rain barrels will be available for sale or to order. Pre-registration is required. To register, call 410-634-2847, ext. 0 or e-mail info@adkinsarboretum.org.

Adkins Arboretum is a 400-acre native garden and preserve at the headwaters of the Tuckahoe Creek in Caroline County. Open year round, the Arboretum offers educational programs for all ages about nature and gardening. Through its Campaign to Build a Green Legacy, the Arboretum will build a new LEED-certified Arboretum Center and entranceway to broaden educational offerings and research initiatives promoting best practices in conservation and land stewardship. For additional information about Arboretum programs, visit www.adkinsarboretum.org or call 410-634-2847, ext. 0.