Alexandria Public Schools Community Education

Plant it, build it, modify it and they will come….the birds, bees, and butterflies that is. Come learn about how to attract more pollinators and songbirds to your backyards by making some simple changes and additions. Participants will be able to schedule one-on-one virtual conferencing to work on their specific property after the initial class. Participants will receive an informational folder full of great publications, and several door prizes will be given away from local plant specialists. An email invitation will be sent with the link to the meeting prior to the presentation date. You will be able to interact live with the instructor during the online presentation to answer any of your questions.

We love our lush green lawns, maybe a bit too much? Join us to learn what else we can plant to benefit the bees and birds, while also keeping some green turf. We will discuss lawn alternatives that are more environmentally friendly that will keep your backyard buzzing. Small changes can go a long ways towards the environment while saving you time and money. Participants will receive an informational folder full of great publications, and several door prizes will be given away from local plant specialists. An email invitation will be sent with a PDF version of the PowerPoint and the Zoom link to the meeting prior to the presentation date. You will be able to interact live with the instructor during the online presentation to answer any of your questions.

Composts and mulches are nature’s way of recycling; keeps waste out of landfills, and it fertilizes without chemicals. It’s a great way to turn wood chips, vegetable and yard trimmings into a dark, crumbly fertile soil. Make your garden happy and help the environment. Learn how to use a variety of composts and the various mulches out there for all your planting and landscaping needs whether you make them yourself or buy them off the shelf. The pros, the cons, and everything in between. Participants will receive an informational folder full of great publications, and several door prizes will be given away from local plant specialists. An email invitation will be sent with the link to the meeting prior to the presentation date. You will be able to interact live with the instructor during the online presentation to answer any of your questions.

Join us for a hands-on class for designing effective planters and hanging baskets. Go beyond the centered spike and geranium planter to incorporate new plants that integrate height, length, texture, growth habits, and light requirements. Discover new flowers, vegetables and herbs to use for attractive plantings that will thrive from spring through fall! All participants will plant and bring home a 10" hanging basket or planter which is included in the registration fee. Larger options can be requested on site for an additional fee. Location: Miltona Greenhouse, 19960 Noble Lane NW, Parkers Prairie.

Join us for a hands-on class for designing effective planters and hanging baskets. Go beyond the centered spike and geranium planter to incorporate new plants that integrate height, length, texture, growth habits, and light requirements. Discover new flowers, vegetables and herbs to use for attractive plantings that will thrive from spring through fall! All participants will plant and bring home a 10" hanging basket or planter which is included in the registration fee. Larger options can be requested on site for an additional fee. Location: Miltona Greenhouse, 19960 Noble Lane NW, Parkers Prairie.

What the heck exactly is a native plant? Where do we buy them? We will start with the basics and work our way up to you including them in your garden spaces and places. We will also help identify some of our favorite natives for a wide variety of soils, shade levels, and overall hardiness. Participants will receive a free native plant book and there will be several gift certificates from local nurseries given away as door prizes.

Do you have a dark and damp corner of your property that you want to bring out of the shadows with blooms and bunchgrasses? Let’s go beyond hostas and the humbugs of traditional green foliage for these tricky shade areas. There are lots of woodland treasures that will add a nice glow to the shadiest swaths. Participants will receive a free native plant book and there will be several gift certificates from local nurseries given away as door prizes. An email invitation will be sent with a PDF version of the PowerPoint and the Zoom link to the meeting prior to the presentation date. You will be able to interact live with the instructor during the online presentation to answer any of your questions. NOTE: We are using a "Register Now, Pay Later" procedure. You are registering for the class and your credit/debit card or checking account will be charged 3 days prior to the class start date. You will be notified if this class is cancelled.

Do you have a hot garden spot that normally bakes and dries out with the summer sun? Are you tired of watering day after day to keep your garden healthy and growing? There is a wide variety of native prairie plants that thrive in the full sun and dry soils. Let’s look at some of these great growers to add to your gardens and landscaping. Participants will receive a free native plant book and there will be several gift certificates from local nurseries given away as door prizes. An email invitation will be sent with a PDF version of the PowerPoint and the Zoom link to the meeting prior to the presentation date. You will be able to interact live with the instructor during the online presentation to answer any of your questions. NOTE: We are using a "Register Now, Pay Later" procedure. You are registering for the class and your credit/debit card or checking account will be charged 3 days prior to the class start date. You will be notified if this class is cancelled.

Do you have a ditch, shoreline, or wetland on your property you want to spruce up beyond cattails and swamp grass? Do you have an area of yard where the grass just won’t grow because it is wet most of the time? There are lots of varieties of natives and non-native perennials that can be used to add color, texture, and eye-appeal that don’t mind having wet toes. Let’s figure out how to add an aesthetic splash into that soggy site. Participants will receive a free native plant book and there will be several gift certificates from local nurseries given away as door prizes. An email invitation will be sent with a PDF version of the PowerPoint and the Zoom link to the meeting prior to the presentation date. You will be able to interact live with the instructor during the online presentation to answer any of your questions. NOTE: We are using a "Register Now, Pay Later" procedure. You are registering for the class and your credit/debit card or checking account will be charged 3 days prior to the class start date. You will be notified if this class is cancelled.

A native wildflower garden will attract beautiful butterflies and bees to your yard and help pollinators stay healthy. You can plant a garden anywhere from the tiniest corner of your city lot to an open prairie setting and about anything in between. We will cover it all from weeds to seeds and start to bountiful blooms. Participants will receive an informational folder full of great publications, and several door prizes will be given away from local plant specialists.

Are you losing ground? Is your shoreline eroding, unsightly or seem to be a goose magnet? Did the excessive rains last year take a toll? Is the ice pushing up a new ridge every year? During this live online course, learn how to improve water quality, reduce erosion and beautify your property using native plants, simple installation techniques and smart planning for easier long-term maintenance. There will be a wide variety of information and brochures for participants, as well as several gift packages given as door prizes. An email invitation will be sent with a PDF version of the PowerPoint and the Zoom link to the meeting prior to the presentation date. You will be able to interact live with the instructor during the online presentation to answer any of your questions.

Once the snow melts, let’s get that lawn perked up and growing! When to dethatch, fertilize, seed, and treat those pesky weeds will be discussed, plus a ton more. Learn some simple tips and techniques that can help you get the best performance out of your yard while saving some cash and preventing pollution. Participants will receive an informational folder full of great publications, and several door prizes will be given away from local plant specialists. An email invitation will be sent with a PDF version of the PowerPoint and the Zoom link to the meeting prior to the presentation date. You will be able to interact live with the instructor during the online presentation to answer any of your questions.

The joy of perennials is that they come back year after year. You can save money, time, and headaches by following a few easy steps as well as learn some tips and techniques by joining us for this great class. Buying, planting, dividing, mulching, and so much more will be discussed. Participants will receive native plant books, and several gift certificates from area nurseries will be given as door prizes. An email invitation will be sent with a PDF version of the PowerPoint and the Zoom link to the meeting prior to the presentation date. You will be able to interact live with the instructor during the online presentation to answer any of your questions.