Venue: Shalbourne CE Primary School SN8 3QH
Time: 10am-2pm (including a break for refreshments)
Booking essential: julie@riverkennet.org
 
Fun hands-on workshop - learn how to make a rain planter!
 
Like a rain garden, a rain planter receives rain from a downpipe to slow the flow of rainwater.
Unlike a rain garden, a rain planter can be positioned right next to your house or office wall as an eye-catching feature filled with plants.
A rain planter is a great way that everyone can help improve the quality of the water that reaches our rivers.
 
In this practical morning workshop, you will discover how to:
Choose a container and a position for a rain planter
Fit a downpipe diverter onto a downpipe and correctly install a water butt, allowing it to overflow into the rain planter
Add drainage, suitable soil and an overflow pipe to a rain planter
Choose plants that will thrive in the aspect and conditions
 
A handout will be provided detailing all the techniques, plants and materials used.
And each household will receive a free downpipe diverter to take home!
 
Best of all - Shalbourne Primary School will be left with three completed rain planters ready to receive rainwater and help keep our rivers clean.
 
Workshop led by:

Wendy Allen - RHS Gold medal-winning garden designer, specialising in creative rainwater management and sustainable drainage systems
ARK - Action for the River Kennet
 
Bring your own gloves and water. Tools and instruction provided, but useful tools if you wish to bring your own are: trowel, shovel, fork, battery drill, hacksaw, stanley knife.
Tea, coffee, cake provided.

This is the first of a series of Rain Garden UK workshops made possible by funding from Thames Water and the Wiltshire Wildlife Community Energy.