St. Cloud Area School District 742 Community Education

Composting is nature’s way of recycling, keeps waste out of landfills, and fertilizes without chemicals. It’s a wonderful way to turn fruits, vegetables and yard trimmings into a dark, crumbly fertile soil along with ways to use composts and mulches for planting or landscaping needs. Make a garden happy and help the environment. Each registered participant will receive an informational folder with publications and will be entered into the prize drawing from local plant specialists. The class will be offered online using the Zoom connection. Instructions and link will be sent via email.

NEW! Have you ever wondered what happens to the rain after it lands on the ground? Are you interested in learning about St. Cloud’s stormwater system and how runoff affects our local waterways and landscape? Join us for a guided tour to learn about St. Cloud’s stormwater system and recent water quality improvement projects. The tour will feature rain gardens, native plantings, stream bank restoration, street sweeper demo and underground stormwater treatment systems. Come learn about the fascinating world of stormwater and how your actions have a greater environmental impact than you ever imagined! The class will be offered in person at the Whitney Community Center with a guided tour of nearby stormwater projects. Additional instructions will be sent via email after registration. Please wear a mask.

NEW! Do you have a dark and damp corner of your property that you'd like 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. Each registered participant will receive an informational folder with publications and will be entered into the prize drawing from local plant specialists. The class will be offered online using the Zoom connection. Instructions and link will be sent via email.

NEW Small spaces don’t need to limit your gardening possibilities! Do you have a limited garden area, patio, or containers and you want to add color, texture, and plants? Don’t overlook using native plants that can attract the birds, bees, and butterflies. We will look at using some of the smaller and better behaved native perennials to your garden spaces. Each registered participant will receive an informational folder with publications and will be entered into the prize drawing from local plant specialists. The class will be offered online using the Zoom connection. Instructions and link will be sent via email.

NEW 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. Each registered participant will receive an informational folder with publications and will be entered into the prize drawing from local plant specialists. The class will be offered online using the Zoom connection. Instructions and link will be sent via email.

NEW Do you have a ditch, shoreline or wetland on your property that you'd like to spruce up beyond cattails and swamp grass? Do you have an area of yard where the grass doesn't grow because it is damp most of the time? There are many varieties of natives and non-native perennials that can be used to add color, texture and eye-appeal. At this class, you'll learn how to add an aesthetic splash into a soggy site. Each registered participant will receive an informational folder with publications and will be entered into the prize drawing from local plant specialists. The class will be offered online using the Zoom connection. Instructions and link will be sent via email.

A native wildflower garden will attract beautiful butterflies and bees to your yard and help pollinators stay healthy. Learn more about weeds, seeds and blooms and how to plant a garden in any size area. Each registered participant will receive an informational folder with publications and will be entered into the prize drawing from local plant specialists. The class will be offered online using the Zoom connection. Instructions and link will be sent via email.

Do you have shoreline property that is losing ground? Is your shoreline eroding, unsightly or seem to be a goose magnet from the toll of excessive rain or ice? 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. Each registered participant will receive an informational folder with publications and will be entered into the prize drawing from local plant specialists. The class will be offered online using the Zoom connection. Instructions and link will be sent via email.

NEW! Once the snow melts, let’s get that lawn perked up and growing! You'll learn when to dethatch, fertilize, seed, and treat those pesky weeds and more. You'll also learn simple tips and techniques that can help you get the best performance out of your yard while saving some cash and preventing pollution. Each registered participant will receive an informational folder with publications and will be entered into the prize drawing from local plant specialists. The class will be offered online using the Zoom connection. Instructions and link will be sent via email.