FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 14, 2019
MEDIA CONTACTS: Carole Trottere, Rebecca Cheng, Vicki DiStefano and Matt Leonenko | (516) 869-7794
Town Announces Dates for Home Sustainability Classes at Clark Garden
Dates for Composter and Rain Barrel Sales Also Announced
North Hempstead, NY – – Town of North Hempstead Supervisor Judi Bosworth and the Town Board are pleased to announce that the Town will once again be offering residential sustainability classes including: Native Plant Gardening, Rain Gardens and Sustainable Yard Care. The Town will also be selling composters and rain barrels multiple times throughout the year. The classes and composter and rain garden sales will run at Clark Botanic Garden in Albertson from April to September.
This year, the Town will be offering more opportunities for residents to purchase a composter or rain barrel. Rain barrels allow you to recycle rainwater to use for irrigation in your yard and gardens. Composters turn yard and kitchen waste into a nutrient filled soil amendment that enhances any garden. A rain barrel and/or composter can be purchased by Town residents only (please bring ID) at a discounted rate of $50 (only 1 per household). Payment must be made by check or credit only, no cash (a minimum convenience fee of $1.50 applies to credit / debit transactions.). See a full list of dates and times for purchasing below.
The Rain Garden program is a FREE class that instructs residents on the environmental benefits of rain gardens and how to create one. Rain gardens are gardens that are positioned near a water run-off source, like a downspout or driveway to capture rainwater, thereby keeping it from picking up pollutants and flowing into storm sewers and underground aquifers, where Long Island gets all of its drinking water. Rain garden plants and soil also reduce pollution by filtering out contaminants as the water slowly seeps into the ground.
The Native Plant Gardening class is a 60-minute free class that will instruct residents on how to garden with native plants, which have historically occurred on Long Island and are adapted to our weather and climate. These plants help to conserve water, reduce fertilizers and pesticides and provide food and habitat for wildlife. The president of the Long Island Native Plant Initiative will teach you how to build and select plants for native gardens.
The Sustainable Yard Care class will teach attendees how to make their yard more sustainable by composting, using a rain barrel, saving water, creating wildlife habitat, using alternatives to pesticides, applying fertilizer properly and more. This 90-minute class is FREE for all.
All classes and composter and rain barrel sales are held at Clark Botanic Garden, located at 193 I. U. Willets Rd in Albertson, and are rain or shine. Residents must register in advance for all classes (registration not necessary for sales). For a full list of class dates and sales, see below:
Upcoming Rain Barrel and Composter sales will be held:
Friday, April 12 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Saturday, April 27 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Thursday, May 16 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday, May 18 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Friday, May 24 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Friday, June 14 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Thursday, June 20 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Friday, June 28 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Friday, July 12 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Wednesday, July 24 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Friday, August 9 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Wednesday, August 14 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Friday, September 13 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Friday, September 27 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Upcoming Rain Garden classes will be held:
Sunday, June 2 at 10 a.m.
Saturday, September 21 at 10 a.m.
Upcoming Native Garden Classes will be held:
Sunday, June 2 at 12 p.m.
Saturday, September 21 at 12 p.m.
Upcoming Sustainable Yard Care will be held:
Sunday, April 14 at 10 a.m.
Saturday, July 13 at 10 a.m.
Thursday, September 19 at 10 a.m.
Spots are limited and registration is required. For more information or to register call 311 or 516-869-6311.