Workshops galore ahead this spring

The weather has finally started to warm up, it isn’t raining, farmers are in the fields and individuals are mowing their lawns. Spring has finally sprung in Indiana. Although everyone wants to be outside enjoying this lovely weather, Purdue Extension and the Putnam County Soil and Water Conservation District hope that you may consider attending one or more of the various workshops we are offering within the next few weeks

The first workshop to consider is the final session of the Gardener Gatherings. This workshop will focus on rain gardens. A rain garden is a type of constructed landscape bed that is used to hold and infiltrate water from rooftops via downspouts, driveway or other impervious surfaces to reduce polluted rainwater runoff.

The workshop will take place Thursday, May 3 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at the Putnam County Extension Office (152 E. Columbia St., Greencastle).

This workshop is free and open to the public; however, it is asked that you register in advance. To register, call 653-8411, email smith535@purdue.edu or go online to https://goo.gl/ebhYnU.

On May 10, individuals are invited to attend a Pond Management Workshop to be held at the Putnam County Fairgrounds (191 N. U.S. 231, Greencastle). This workshop will feature Mitch Zishke, Purdue Extension, discussing pond management: stocking rates, fish habitats and much more, along with Scott Wagner, USDA NRCS, discussing pond construction.

The free workshop is scheduled from 1-3 p.m. Interested individuals are asked to register by calling 653-8411, emailing smith535@purdue.edu or going online to http://tinyurl.com/yamn5s5q

Lastly, a Pollinator Workshop will take place on May 24 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Putnam County Fairgrounds. The workshop will feature Emily Jacob, Farm Bill Biologist, Pheasant Forever and Quail Forever, discussing pollinator habitat. The second presenter will be Bob Bruner, Purdue Extension, discussing bees.

Although this workshop is free, interested parties are encouraged to register for the workshop in advance. You can register by calling 653-8411, emailing smith535@purdue.edu or going online to http://tinyurl.com/y92nks32

Visit www.extension.purdue.edu/putnam or you can contact the local Purdue Extension Office by calling 653-8411 for more information regarding this week’s column topic or to RSVP for upcoming events. It is always best to call first to assure items are ready when you arrive and to RSVP for programs. While many publications are free, some do have a fee.

Upcoming Events:

May 1 – 4-H camp counselor training, 5 p.m., Fairgrounds.

May 3 -- Gardener Gathering: Rain Gardens, 6:30 p.m., Extension Office. Register at https://goo.gl/ebhYnU.

May 5 – 4th annual Master Gardener Plant Auction, 10 a.m., Fairgrounds.

May 7 -- Indiana Extension Homemakers Association council meeting, 7 p.m.

May 8 -- Office closed, Election Day (county holiday).

May 10 – Pond Management Workshop, 1 p.m., Fairgrounds. Register at http://tinyurl.com/yamn5s5q.

May 12 – Sheep and goat retinal scanning, Fairgrounds.

May 14 – YQCA Cert Program, Fairgrounds, 6 p.m. RSVP online.

May 17 -- Leader Lesson “Microwave Pie,” 2:30 p.m.

May 24 – Pollinator Workshop, 6:30 p.m., Fairgrounds. Register at http://tinyurl.com/y92nks32.

June 20 – YQCA cert program, Fairgrounds, 10 a.m., RSVP online.

June 20 – YQCA cert program, Fairgrounds, 1 p.m., RSVP online.