Workshops
Download YardScaping Workshop materials below:
Thursday, September 11, 2025
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Cumberland County SWCD
35 Main Street, Windham
Snacks and drinks provided!
Disturbing soil during winter can make it difficult to prevent erosion and control sediment on construction sites; many of the practices that are most effective during the growing season do not work well during the winter months. Here in Maine, cold weather can hinder adequate erosion and sedimentation control for up to half the year, so knowing appropriate treatments and practices for maintaining water quality can be key to a successful project.
Working in the winter requires extra planning, foresight, inspections, and materials to minimize the impact of these activities on our natural resources and water quality while ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local environmental regulations. This program will explore the options available for performing soil disturbance in the winter as well as highlighting the regulations that contractors need to comply with when performing winter work.
This class qualifies for 4 hours of Continuing Education Credit for individuals Certified in Erosion Control Practices by Maine DEP.
Tuesday, September 16, 2025
5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Cumberland County Soil & Water Conservation District | 35 Main Street, Windham, Maine
We are hosting a workshop that delves into the benefits of implementing rain and pollinator gardens within any landscape!!
A rain garden consists of a depression in the ground and is filled with native perennials and shrubs that love water. Runoff from a roof, driveway, downspout or another source flows into the rain garden and is soaked into the ground and used by the plants. This type of garden is especially beneficial for minimizing surface runoff and reducing the transportation of pollutants!
Pollinator gardens are planted with native flowers, shrubs, and trees that support a variety of pollinators by providing habitat and sustenance for our favorite hard workers! Pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and bats are a keystone species in almost every terrestrial ecosystem, so this garden type helps ensure their health for years to come.
It is important to note that a rain garden can double as a pollinator garden by selecting the right plants. We can help with that!
This workshop will begin inside learning about how to successfully utilize conservation techniques with the second half spent outside in our demonstration gardens. Gardening tools and materials will be provided.
Tuesday, October 7, 2025
5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Cumberland County Soil & Water Conservation District | 35 Main Street, Windham, Maine
We know it is hard to believe, but summer is almost over! This workshop will provide helpful tips and tricks when it comes to cover cropping and preparing your gardens for a successful transition into winter. Properly putting your plants to bed for the wintertime will ensure they survive the harsh cold and make way for a thriving spring season!
We will cover topics such as sheet mulching, managing yard waste, winterizing raised beds, protecting soil, and more! Cover cropping is an especially helpful fall transition technique, as cover crops are planted in the fall with the purpose of building soil health in between growing seasons. Join us to learn about establishing and terminating cover crops, the role of cover cropping in weed management and pest cycles, and how to select native cover crops!
This workshop will begin inside learning about how to successfully utilize conservation techniques with the second half spent outside in our demonstration gardens. Gardening tools and materials will be provided.