Landscape your yard with free native trees, plants

Spring is around the corner, so it’s a great time to get growing and prepare gardens for the hot months ahead. Two free native gardening events in Broward and Palm Beach counties highlight conservation and sustainable landscaping techniques to help homeowners save on maintenance and water bills.

NatureScape’s 15th annual Water Matters Day is offering participants two free trees or plants with information about water conservation on Saturday. The free event is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Treetops Park, 3900 SW 100th Ave. in Davie. There is $1.50 park entrance fee. Participants may pick from 25 native and droughttolerant plants and trees, including loquat, lychees and three varieties of dwarf mangoes. Other giveaways include water-saving devices such as rain gauges and automatic shut-off valves for sprinkler systems.

“This year, we will have demonstrations on how to make a rain barrel and how to use ground covers as an alternative to sod,” says Rose Béchard-Butman, NatureScape Outreach Coordinator. “Using these hardy plants saves water and frequent mowing, plus you’ll use less weed products and fertilizers, which contaminate our groundwater.”

There will be more than 50 exhibitors, food trucks, children’s activities and interactive educational displays. If you want fruit trees, BéchardButman suggests getting there early because they go quick.

For more information, call 954-519-1270 or visit Broward.org/WaterMatters.

On Tuesday, the Palm Beach County Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society presents “Going Native! NativeScape Marketplace and Film” from 4 to 9 p.m. on the waterfront at Flagler Drive and Clematis Street in downtown West Palm Beach. The event features a native plant market and a free 6:30 p.m. open-air screening on the green of “Hometown Habitat: Stories of Bringing Nature Home.” Bring a lawn chair to watch the 90-minute documentary. One vignette in the film was shot in West Palm and highlights local artists who use their works to help solve environmental problems.