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Contact: Melanie Rapp, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

DNREC joins Newark High School’s annual Plant Sale

selling rain barrels at discount price



NEWARK (May 3, 2013) – DNREC’s Division of Watershed Stewardship will join Newark High School’s annual Plant Sale by offering rain barrels at a discounted price to Delawareans. The Plant Sale will be held in the greenhouse behind the school located at 750 East Delaware Avenue in Newark. Dates and times for the Plant Sale are:

Friday, May 10: 2:15 – 7:00 p.m.

Saturday, May 11: 8:00 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Sunday, May 12: 10:00 a.m. – 5 p.m.

A limited quantity of rain barrels will be available on a first come, first served basis.

The 65-gallon granite-colored rain barrels are made from 30 percent recycled materials and include a lid that can serve as a planter for flowers. The barrels will be sold to Delaware residents for $70.37 each. The regular retail price of these heavy-duty rain barrels is $120 or more. DNREC purchased the rain barrels in quantity and is offering them at the wholesale cost. Payment may be made by cash or check or money order made out to “State of Delaware.” Credit cards cannot be accepted



A rain barrel captures rainwater from a roof and stores it for later use. Without a rain barrel, rainwater becomes stormwater, picking up pollutants on it its way to a storm drain, stream, lake, bay or ocean. Using a rain barrel lowers water consumption, saves money and reduces polluted stormwater runoff. Water collected from rain barrels can be used to wash cars and to water lawns, gardens and indoor plants.

Newark High School will be selling red and pink geraniums and six-pack annuals, including marigolds, petunia, impatiens, begonia, salvia, vinca and other flowers for $1.50. Hanging baskets of beautiful mixed-variety flowers will be offered for $10 each. A large selection of vegetable and herb plants will also be available for $1.00 each, including four varieties of tomato, sweet and hot pepper, cucumber, cantaloupe, watermelon, basil and oregano plants, among others. Newark High School will only accept cash payments; no checks or credit cards will be accepted.



The plants were grown and lovingly cared for by the students in the Horticulture program at Newark High. Students started vegetable and herb plants from seed, while the annual bedding plants were purchased as “plugs” and then planted in market packs. All the money raised from the plant sale will go directly back to the Agriculture program at Newark High School.

For more information on DNREC’s rain barrel sale, please contact Sharon Webb, Nonpoint Source Program, prior to the sale dates at 302-739-9922 or by email at Sharon.webb@state.de.us.For more information on the Newark High School Plant Sale, contact Andrea Leventry, Horticulture teacher, at leventrya@christina.k12.de.us.