MRG Program Information

Master Rain Gardener

Program Information

What does it take to build a rain garden?

Inspiration, Perspiration, & Improvisation.

April Banarek by her newly installed rain garden at her office.

Spring 2026 Course
Registration open now through 2/13/26!

Feb. 20, 27
Mar. 6, 13, 20 (No class Mar. 27)
Apr. 3

Fridays, 1:00-4:00pm

Butler County

Butler Soil & Water
11802 Princeton Rd.
Hamilton, OH 45011

Course Overview

The MRG course is a 6 day course that takes place over 7 weeks.
During the course, students are guided through the rain garden design and installation process by experienced regional professionals.
Homework is assigned after each class. By the final day, students will have created their own custom ready-to-go rain garden plan, complete with location, size, and planting design.
Students receive Master Rain Gardener garden gloves for completing the class. Once their garden is complete, they get a shirt and sign for becoming a Master Rain Gardener!

MRG Certification Requirements

To receive the Master Rain Gardener Certification, students are required to:

Complete the all days of the MRG course & present their plans.
Build their Rain Garden.

If building a rain garden is not an option, students may volunteer to maintain/rehab an existing rain garden for 1 year as a substitute (instructors will help pair students with an appropriate rain garden).

Once a student has completed these things, they will be awarded their Master Rain Gardener Certification, a MRG t-shirt, and Rain Garden yard sign!

Master Rain Gardener Swag

MRG Garden Gloves

MRG T-shirt

MRG Yard Sign - Art by Cincinnati artist Kristel Graham

Future Rotating Course Locations

Spring 2026 -Butler County, OH
Feb. 20, 27
Mar. 16, 13, 20 (No class Mar. 27)
Apr. 3
Fridays, 1:00-4:00pm

Butler Soil & Water
11802 Princeton Rd.
Hamilton, OH 45011

Future Course Locations
(Details TBD - these courses are in-person only)

2026
Spring 2026 - Butler County, OH
Fall 2026 - Warren County, OH

2027
Virtual course coming!

Greater Cincinnati Master Rain Gardener Gallery