Red bird in a bird house

This spring, Arlington Water Utilities is partnering with Tarrant Regional Water District and the Arlington Public Library to host a series of free educational events for residents. These workshops are designed to help participants prepare their landscapes and sprinkler systems for the upcoming season. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just starting out, these sessions offer valuable insights to help you make the most out of your watering practice this spring.

Great Backyard Bird Count and Gardening for Birds

9 a.m. - 12 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 15, at the Lake Arlington Native Plant and Pollinator Garden,5500 Lake Arlington Dr. 

The Lake Arlington Native Plant and Pollinator Garden will be open 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. to the birdwatchers as part of the Great Backyard Bird Count. At 10 a.m., TRWD will give an outdoor presentation on Gardening for Birds.

Learn about:

• Common types of birds in North Texas 
• The types of plants to plant to attract the type of birds you want
• The types of features to add to attract birds
• How to design your garden with birds in mind
• How to find the correct plants for North Texas 
• Creating an efficient, low resource use garden

Volunteers will also be helping with garden maintenance at the event. Let us know you’ll be birdwatching or sign up to volunteer by visiting SaveArlingtonWater.com.

DIY Sprinkler Repair

2 - 3 p.m., Saturday, March 15, at the Arlington Northeast Library, 1905 Brown Blvd.

Have you checked your sprinkler system lately? There might be simple issues that are quick fixes! In this workshop, participants will learn the basics of a home sprinkler system and how to resolve common issues on their own.

Just in time for Fix a Leak Week, we’ll cover:

• All the parts of a typical home sprinkler system
• How to determine how much water your system uses
• How to see if your system has uneven coverage
• How to program your controller
• How to adjust heads and maintain your system
• How to check your system for leaks
• How to make easy DIY repairs 

Attend this workshop and take home a free sprinkler test kit! Register here to reserve your spot.

DIY Rain Harvesting

2 - 3 p.m., Saturday, April 5, at the Arlington Southeast Library, 900 SE Green Oaks Blvd.

Capture rainwater this spring and use it later to nourish your landscape! Rainwater harvesting is an excellent way to store water from spring and fall rains, making it available during North Texas’ hot, dry summers.

In this workshop, you'll learn:

•  How much water your roof will produce in a year
•  Where to put your rain barrel to capture the most water
• How to install a barrel
• How to hook up and use your new water source
• How to build your own 50-gallon rain barrel with just a few supplies from the hardware store

Join us and build your own rain barrel to take home for only $25! Register here to secure your spot! 

DIY Drip Irrigation

10 a.m., Saturday, April 19, at the Lake Arlington Garden, 5500 Lake Arlington Dr.

Thinking about switching to drip irrigation, but unsure where to start? It’s easier than you think! Drip irrigation allows water to slowly seep into the soil, giving your plants a more thorough watering, all while using less water.

In this workshop, you’ll learn:

• How to determine how much water your system uses
• How to program your controller
• How to switch out your heads for drip
• How to install your drip lines
• How to make easy DIY repairs
• How to change your watering techniques to use your new drip system 

Volunteers will also be helping with garden maintenance at the event. If you’d like to volunteer, please sign up online at SaveArlingtonWater.com.

DIY Wicking Buckets

6 - 7:30 p.m., Monday, April 21, at the Arlington East Library, 1817 New York Ave.

Did you know that wicking buckets offer better water efficiency and require less maintenance? Attend this workshop to learn about the advantages of container gardening with a wicking system and build your own wicking bucket. Then, take your bucket home and watch it grow!

For more information and to secure your spot, register here.