Spring Conservation Checklist

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There’s no question that it’s been a long winter, with bitter temperatures and over 2½ feet of snow (so far!). If you’re like us, our minds are turning to spring, and now is a great time to start making plans! We’ve prepared a list of conservation-related actions you can take to get you in the Spring mood.

  • Clean leaves, brush, and other yard waste from drainageways and storm inlets, especially if the ground in your area is relatively flat.
  • Test the soil in your flower garden, vegetable garden, or lawn to learn what your soil actually needs before fertilizing.
  • Consider replacing a small portion of your lawn with native plants. Now is a good time to create a landscaping plan so you’re prepared
  • Hold off on mowing for a while. It can be hard for pollinators to find flowers in early spring. By letting your lawn grow longer, you can help provide pollen and nectar for bees and butterflies.
  • Early spring is a good time to work on invasive species management. Invasive species such as honeysuckle and lesser celandine typically leaf out or bloom before our native plants.
  • Re-connect your rain barrel after the dangers of a hard freeze have passed, usually sometime in April. If you’re interested in installing a rain barrel, we have these available as part of our plant sale.
  • Consider composting if you don’t already. The Adams-Clermont Solid Waste District is selling composters and small under-the-counter kitchen scrap containers through our plant sale.

As always, Clermont Soil & Water staff is happy to provide guidance with any of your conservation needs!

Clermont SWCD to Host Master Rain Gardener Course This Fall

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For the first time, Clermont SWCD will be hosting the Greater Cincinnati Master Rain Gardener Course. This is a 5-day course that takes place over six weeks from August 4 to September 8. During the course, students are guided through the rain garden design and installation process by experienced regional professionals. At graduation, students will have created a beautiful rain garden and will be ready to educate their neighbors.

Course Details

9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

August 4, 11, 18, 25 and September 8

$50 registration fee

Location: Clermont County Park District, 2156 US Highway 50, Batavia OH 45103

For additional information, registration, and to see a list of rotating host locations, visit www.cincyraingardener.org.

Stream Buffer Plants Available at Plant Sale

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Buttonbush is a great option for stream buffers and is a favorite of butterflies. Photo from U.S. Fish and Wildlife.

The “Be the Change for Clean Water” article describes how a buffer of native plants along a stream helps prevent bank erosion, filters pollutants, cools the stream, and provides habitat for pollinators and other wildlife. Several of the species we are offering as part of our annual plant sale work well as stream buffers. In particular, buttonbush will work very well along the stream edge. Other plants will fare well higher up on the bank including:

  • Spicebush
  • Serviceberry
  • Elderberry
  • Maple leaf viburnum
  • Hazelnut
  • Redbud

For questions on what plants would work best in your stream bank buffer, contact Clermont SWCD at 513-732-7075 for assistance.