Alexandria Public Schools Community Education

Learn more about honey bees. If you have had bees for at least one year and understand beekeeping terms, this class may be for you.Topics that will be discussed are raising queens, making divides and nucs, identifying honey bee diseases and treatments and much more. Instructor: Lewis Struthers is a fourth generation beekeeper and has 60 years of experience with honey bees. He runs 250 hives from Parkers Prairie and raises all his own queens from his best hives.

There’s nothing like fresh fruit grown in your own yard! Learn how to plant and harvest apples, and how to protect trees and fruit from disease and insects. Taste a variety of apples the instructor has grown.

Why are bees important? Globally there are more honey bees than other types of bee and pollinating insects, so it is the world's most important pollinator of food crops. Dr. Struthers will discuss collecting honey, pollination, life cycle, interesting instincts and characteristics, how bees organize their society and how to get a beehive started. You will have a chance to taste honey samples. He will also give you an annual schedule of the when, what and why of hive care.

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 have a chance to plant and bring home a hanging basket or planter.

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 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.

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 while also saving you time and money. Participants will receive an informational folder full of great publications and several 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? 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.