Spring is for RainScapes! Time to plant!

[Howard Hartman]

Rainscapes Gazette

 

Early Spring Edition, April 2010

 

In this Gazette:

 

Welcome to Spring!

New Website

RainScapes Rewards Rebates

Earth Month

Rain Barrels

Trees

Native Plant Sales

Conservation Landscapes & Rain Gardens

 

Welcome to Spring!

 

Spring is always a time of big changes outside so it's time to get out and play in the dirt! Rain Gardens and other gardens are due for the winter weed pull and cut back and remulching before the plants start their Spring growth surge.

 

Have you ever wondered “well, how good can a landscape watered by stormwater look?”  Two landscape architecture professors from Penn State set out to survey the country to see what is being designed and built. These projects are examples of just how beautiful a RainScapes type of landscape can be! http://www.artfulrainwaterdesign.net/ 

 

Our Website has moved to a new format!

 

The new DEP website is up and running. The RainScapes page is undergoing revisions. We will be expanding the resources section and the other sections over the next several months. Check back frequently to see the updates.

 

If you are looking for contractors and designers who have attended our RainScapes training programs, you can find a list on our Landscape Professionals page. These are local landscape businesses and providers who are taking the time to learn and provide the most current practices for healthy landscapes and RainScapes.

http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/dectmpl.asp?url=/content/dep/water/rainlandscaping.asp

 

RainScapes Rewards Rebates

 

Yes, there are still funds available for the RainScapes Rewards Rebates in the FY2010 budget (budget year goes from July 1-June 30).  Rebates will be funded until the account is fully spent on a first-come, first-served basis. All rebate projects are required to be approved prior to installation to qualify for rebate funds and approved projects should be complete within 6 months of approval from DEP.

 

Applications are available to download at http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/dectmpl.asp?url=/content/dep/water/rainrebate.asp

The forms are now in editable pdf format for those who wish to type in their information before printing it out. Please make sure you are using the FY 2010 forms when you submit your application (see the footer on the application).  Send all applications to rainscapes.application@montgomerycountymd.gov . For residents in the city limits of Rockville  or Gaithersburg , consult with their RainScapes Rewards programs.http://www.rockvillemd.gov/environment/watersheds/rainscapes.html   or

http://www.gaithersburgmd.gov/poi/default.asp?POI_ID=1670&TOC=107;81;388;167

 

Get ready for Earth Month!

 

If you are looking for a volunteer opportunity with your watershed group or some other environmental project during Earth Month, check with the Volunteer Center.

http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/mcgtmpl.asp?url=/content/Volunteer/earthday.asp

 

Not sure where what your watershed is?  Click on the links to find out!

http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/dectmpl.asp?url=/content/dep/water/wris.asp#plans

 

RainScapes will be at the Brookside Gardens Earth Day Festival on April 18^th (12-4pm) and the US Dept of Health and Human Services Earth Day Celebration at the Parklawn Building in Rockville on April 20^th (10:30-2pm).

 

Rain Barrels & Cisterns

 

It’s time to hook up your rain barrel /or cistern. Check the link below if you are hooking one up for the first time or need a refresher course

 

http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/content/dep/downloads/rainbarrelinstructions.pdf

The 2010 RainScapes Rewards program for the county is a $200 rebate for 200 gallons (must capture 200 gallons) for Single Family homes and $100 rebate for 100 gallons (must capture 100 gallons) for Town  homes.   The City of Rockville http://www.rockvillemd.gov/environment/watersheds/rainscapes.html  and the City of Gaithersburg http://www.gaithersburgmd.gov/poi/default.asp?POI_ID=1670&TOC=107;81;388;1670; both offer a $50/barrel rebate in their Rainscapes programs with a maximum of 4 barrels for rebate.

Barrels may be purchased from a number of local vendors. The current list of barrel providers that we have is on our website: http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/content/dep/downloads/rainbarrelssales.pdf

 

Our Rain Barrel workshop at Brookside Gardens this month is full. For other Rain barrel workshops, please visit the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin (ICPRB) website to find a workshop in the area. http://www.potomacriver.org/cms/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=50:rain-barrels&catid=34:restore-enhance-conserve-protect&Itemid=69

 

Tree news

 

The Forest and Tree page information is now found under the Climate Change section of the DEP Website.

 

http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/dectmpl.asp?url=/Content/dep/climatechange/climateL2.asp   http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/dectmpl.asp?url=/Content/dep/climatechange/treecare.asp

 

Eastern Tent Caterpillars and Gypsy Moths

 

Are you seeing lots of tents? Eastern tent caterpillars are busy this time of year! Young eastern tent caterpillars build nests, or tents, in the forks of branches for safety and to stay warm. These caterpillars are a big nuisance to us but they rarely cause long-term damage to trees. Therefore we don’t recommend treatment with chemicals. These native caterpillars are great treats for hungry birds. So poke those tents open with a pole or stick to expose the caterpillars to birds. And good news about gypsy moths!  The populations are very low this year and no treatment is needed in Montgomery County. For more information about these caterpillars, go to the DEP webpage here. For an up close comparison of the two caterpillars, go here: http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/dectmpl.asp?url=/Content/dep/climatechange/treepests.asp

 

There are also tree coupons available to support tree planting that are in addition to the rebate. http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/dectmpl.asp?url=/Content/dep/climatechange/treecare.asp

 

If you are thinking about planting flowering trees, consider some great native alternatives to pears and other non-native trees. These include dogwoods, redbuds, serviceberry, witchhazels and fringe trees. These beautiful natives extend the blooming season into the late winter and early spring. And they support more pollinators and birds in our landscapes. These could be part of your conservation landscape planting.

 

Native Plant Sales

 

Check our resources section on the new website. We are posting information on local plant sales and other useful resources to help you green your property.  http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/dectmpl.asp?url=/Content/dep/water/raintechnique.asp 

 

Conservation Landscapes & Rain Gardens

 

Conservation landscapes require less excavation than rain gardens but will still soak up more water than conventional landscapes because of the deep rooted plants that are used. The City of Rockville has a nice section on their website providing information on Conservation Landscapes for this area:  http://www.rockvillemd.gov/environment/watersheds/conservation-landscaping.html. We will be offering a conservation landscaping workshop at Brookside Gardens (see below) and there are three presentations by the authors of the Meadows Project which will be held in the DC area this Spring. Check the appearance schedule here:  https://themeadowproject.com/?page_id=277

 

 

Conservation Landscaping Techniques Workshop

 

When Thursday , May 20^th or Saturday, May 22, 10am – 1pm

Where  Brookside Gardens (map)

Description  Learn how conservation-based landscaping techniques can beautify your yard and neighborhood, restore native habitats, and help improve the environment all while saving you valuable time and money. Explore ways to replace traditional lawns with native landscapes to benefit out local streams and the Chesapeake Bay. Participants can expect to: learn about lawn removal techniques, partake in a site design exercise tailored to each participant's yard, and develop a native plant shopping list. Information on the County's rebate program to assist with funding will also be on hand. Light refreshments will be provided but please bring a bag lunch or snack if you'd like. Cost for the workshop is $10. Registration is limited to the first 40 people/ day. Register online at www.parkpass.org for course #105103 (Thursday)  or  #105104 (Saturday).

 

           

A list of plants suitable for rain gardens in Montgomery County can be found here: http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/content/dep/downloads/rainscapesplantlist09.pdf

 

If you are working on a rain garden project and need some design templates, check the rain garden design templates for the Chesapeake Bay Watershed at the Low Impact Development Center website: www.lowimpactdevelopment.org/raingarden_design .

 

 

Have a wonderful Spring!

If you have any questions or comments, contact us by email or postal mail:
Montgomery County Government, Office of Public Information, 101 Monroe Street, 4th Floor, Rockville, MD 20850.