City closes applications for rain gardens
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 14/08/2025 (224 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
The City of Brandon’s open application for a rain garden program has already been filled by residents, barely a day after it opened.
One hundred Brandonites applied for the 2026 program by the time it closed at around noon on Thursday, after the city opened applications Wednesday morning.
“It means that Brandon residents are interested in other ways to look at gardening and manage their stormwater, and taking advantage of a successful program,” said Lindsay Hargreaves, environmental initiatives co-ordinator for the city.
The City of Brandon has closed applications for people interested in creating rain gardens on their property next summer. (Submitted)
On Wednesday, Hargreaves told the Sun she expects the applications to hit 100 and be closed by end of day Friday, but that this “is a good problem to have.”
She said residents who missed the deadline but want to apply should regularly check the city’s website in case there are future updates about the program.
Currently, the city, along with the Central Assiniboine Watershed District, is creating and paying for the installation of 25 rain gardens across the city per year. The program started in 2021 and has grown since.
Rain gardens are a type of low-maintenance garden that collects stormwater, reduces flooding and attracts birds, butterflies and pollinators.
The city is talking to the watershed district about growing the program, so more rain gardens can be installed every year, Hargreaves said.
With the current system of only 25 per year, those who applied last would be years out from getting their rain garden installed, pending their application is approved.
She said the interest and the word of mouth about the program proves it’s popular.
“We’ve had some testimonials say that it was an easy process, that they like their garden,” she said. “And neighbours of people with gardens that are in place inquire about the program, so word of mouth has spread fairly quickly.”
If the watershed district and city changed how many gardens are built per year, it would “probably be drastically boosted,” Hargreaves said.
» alambert@brandonsun.com