St. Cloud Area School District 742 Community Education

NEW! There are plenty of tough Minnesota native plants that will not only survive, but thrive in sketchy soil conditions. You'll learn about all aspects of those tricky soil sites to get plants and blooms started for the season to come. Participants will receive reference materials and a chance to win a variety of door prizes from area nurseries.

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 anything in between. We will cover it all from weeds to seeds and bountiful blooms. We will even “walk” through a project from scratch. Participants will receive informative reference materials and a chance to win a variety of door prizes from area nurseries.

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. You'll learn about some of these great growers to add to your gardens and landscaping. Participants will receive reference materials and a chance to win a variety of door prizes from area nurseries.

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 make your property more beautiful using native plants, simple installation techniques and smart planning for easier long-term maintenance. Participants will receive informative reference materials and a chance to win a variety of door prizes from area nurseries.

NEW! Maple syrup is a sweet springtime gift from maple trees.You'll learn about the methods used to grade and evaluate maple syrup, how to ensure you make good tasting syrup, and then have the opportunity to put your skills to work by tasting a variety of maple syrup. About the Instructor: Steve Saupe is one of the syrupmakers at the St. John's Maple Syrup Operation and has taught a course in maple syrup at the College of St. Benedict/Saint John's University. Steve is the newsletter editor and former board member of the Minnesota Maple Syrup Producers Association and is one of the judges of the maple syrup competition at the Minnesota State Fair. Enter door 1.

NEW! Making maple syrup is a springtime tradition in Minnesota and eastern North America. This class will provide an overview of the history and techniques to produce this delicious natural product. Participants will learn everything necessary - from tapping trees to boiling sap to bottling syrup - to start a small-scale maple syrup operation at home. About the Instructor: Steve Saupe is one of the syrupmakers at the St. John's Maple Syrup Operation and has taught a course in maple syrup at the College of St. Benedict/Saint John's University. Steve is the newsletter editor and former board member of the Minnesota Maple Syrup Producers Association and is one of the judges of the maple syrup competition at the Minnesota State Fair. Enter door 1.

NEW! Healthy soil is important for growing strong, resilient, and tough plants that can handle our unique Minnesota growing conditions. We'll discuss a variety of topics including starting a new flower garden, revitalizing an old veggie patch, soil testing, composting, and more. Participants will receive reference materials and a chance to win a variety of door prizes from area nurseries.

Would you like to become a beekeeper or explore the various possibilities? This fascinating hobby is for anyone who enjoys nature and loves honey. You'll learn what makes bees the most important pollinators, how to understand honey bee behavior, and how to set up and manage bee hives. We'll discuss the challenges you may encounter as a beekeeper and other information you'll need to know to get started. Enter door 1.

NEW! Let’s learn about the latest trend in landscaping including sizing, location, installation and plant selection for your rain garden and rain water harvesting. With the wide variety of plants and materials available you can create a rain garden with a natural wild look or an organized planting suitable for the most refined settings. Participants will receive reference materials and a chance to win a variety of door prizes from area nurseries.

We have over a dozen Milkweeds that are native to Minnesota and some are wildly popular in local gardens. We'll discuss a variety of these pollinator plants, where to buy them, and how to add these pollinator magnets to your landscapes. Participants will receive informative reference materials and a chance to win a variety of door prizes from area nurseries.

NEW! Do you have a ditch, shoreline, or wetland on your property you want to spruce up beyond cattails and swamp grass? Or a yard where damp grass just won’t grow? Many varieties of natives and non-native perennials can be used to add color, texture, and eye-appeal. Participants will receive reference materials and a chance to win a variety of door prizes from area nurseries.