Spring 2026 In-Person Residential Certification
The Residential Certification is geared toward homeowners who would like to install a rain garden in their own yard and serve as the neighborhood expert on rain gardens.
2026 Spring In-person Class Dates:
The Master Rain Gardener (MRG) course includes five (4) classes over a four-week period. All classes will be held at the Richmond Heights Community Center on Tuesdays from 5:30pm – 7:00pm.
- March 10, 2026: Class 1 – Location, sizing, and soil considerations
- March 17, 2026: Class 2 – Digging and Drawing
- March 24, 2026: Class 3 – Plant Selection and Design
- March 31, 2026: Class 4 – Graduation Day! Provide your final design and present to the class.
Classes also include homework, quizzes, individualized feedback. Light snacks will be provided.
Need-based scholarships are available!
Completing your Master Rain Gardener Certification
This course will provide you with the information and experience to build your own rain garden and become a Certified Master Rain Gardener. We recognize that not everyone can build a rain garden on their own property though, so you can also become certified by participating in a public rain garden building, volunteering at a public rain garden, or passing along your new expertise to the public (i.e. presenting to your garden club, at a public library, etc.)
Upon certification, you’ll receive a Master Rain Gardener t-shirt, sign, and certificate (included in the cost of registration).
What is a rain garden?
Rain gardens work with nature to collect and filter rainwater that runs off impervious surfaces like rooftops and driveways. Impervious surfaces lead to increases in surface runoff and often result in increased flooding and stream bank erosion. As water travels over impervious surfaces it also has the potential to pick up pollutants. Polluted stormwater runoff enters our rivers and lakes and is one of the leading threats to water quality in the U.S. Rain gardens naturally manage stormwater by infiltrating precipitation and allowing it to soak into the ground rather than sending it directly to storm sewers and nearby streams untreated.