Extreme
Green Makeover Transforming Yards For A Sustainable Maplewood
Are you ready for a GREEN yard? Transform your yard into one that features sustainable landscaping. From rain gardens & rain barrels, to compost bins and native plants you can learn how to do it yourself! The Extreme Green Makeover is a fun series of classes, field trips, and events that will inspire and teach you the basics, and
Extreme GREEN classes and events are open to everyone— residents and non-residents! There will be drawings for prizes at many of the events, including a $500 gift certificate from Home Depot and one from Linder’s Garden Center.
Join us for the Kick-Off on Thursday, March 18, 6:30 - 8:30PM at the Maplewood Library, 3025 Southlawn Drive, Maplewood. See page 2 for more details!
Apply To Win: One Maplewood resident will win a $15,000 GREEN yard makeover!
To be eligible for the $15,000 front yard Green Makeover, you must be a Maplewood resident and reside in the Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District (RWMWD). In addition, applicants must attend at least one Extreme Green Makeover event to become familiar with the features of GREEN landscape design. Pick up an application form at any Extreme Green Makeover event and submit it to Maplewood Nature Center, 2659 7th St. East, Maplewood, MN 55119, by Friday, June 25, 2010.
Thank you sponsors & partners
5 Green Landscaping Goals Green design – Create aesthetically pleasing landscapes that meet the needs of residents and benefit the environment. Rain water – Put rain water to use in the yard. Energy landscaping – Reduce heating and cooling costs with plants. Effective resource use – Minimize the use of water, fertilizers, and pesticides. Native plants – Plant natives to enhance habitat for wildlife.
How To Register www.ci.maplewood.mn.us/extremegreen or mail registration and check to Maplewood Nature Center, 2659 East 7th St., Maplewood, MN 55119 For More Information Registration, classes & events 651.249.2170 Applying for the makeover 651.249.2181
The Extreme Green Makeover Series
The Extreme Green Makeover series is open to everyone. Call 651.249.2170 for more information or visit www.ci.maplewood.mn.us/extremegreen to register online.
Extreme Green Kick-Off Event- at the Maplewood Library
Thursday, March 18, 6:30 - 8:30PM The Extreme Green Makeover will commence with this gala affair featuring speakers, hors d’oeuvres and a drawing for great prizes at the Maplewood Library located at 3025 Southlawn Drive in Maplewood. View stunning landscape designs that show innovative ways to enhance your yard for people and for the environment. The rules for applying for the $15,000 yard makeover will be announced. Refreshments provided by Cravings. Call the Nature Center at 651.249.2170 to pre-register. The first 20 registrants will receive a Goody Gift Bag filled with garden gloves, tools, and other valuable items!
STOPPING WATER WHERE IT DROPS - A RAIN GARDEN FOR YOUR YARD SERIES
Learn how to create a rain garden! Join us for the classroom session or the whole series. The first session provides enough information to get you started. Additional field and workshop sessions are offered for those who want more in-depth instruction. Sponsored by City of Maplewood and Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District. For specific questions about class content, contact Sage Passi at the Watershed District, 651.792.7958. 1) A RAIN GARDEN FOR YOUR YARD – CLASSROOM SESSION Wednesday, March 24, 6:30 - 8:30PM at the Maplewood Library, 3025 Southlawn Dr., Maplewood, MN 55109 Cost is $5.00. Register and prepay by March 17. Learn why, where and how to create a rain garden in your yard. Be introduced to the first steps to assessing your own site. Get inspired by the variety of beautiful rain gardens already in your community! Class taught by Shawn Tracy from the Association of Metropolitan Soil and Water Conservation Districts. Refreshments provided by Cravings. 2) RAIN GARDEN FIELD SESSION: DRAINAGE AND SOILS Pre-requisite: Rain Garden classroom session Thursday, April 15, 6:00 - 8:00PM at 920 Orange Avenue in St. Paul Cost is $5.00. Register and prepay by April 8. The “engineering” aspects of creating a rain garden can actually be fun. Join us at a private home to work through a real-life situation. We’ll analyze the site, determine the drainage area, assess the soil and test for infiltration, and determine drainage area. Class taught by Ryan Johnson from the Ramsey Conservation District. 3) RAIN GARDEN DESIGN WORKSHOP: GARDEN LAYOUT & PLANT DESIGN Pre-requisite: Rain Garden classroom and Field session: Drainage and Soils Thursday, April 29, 6:30 - 8:30PM at the Maplewood Nature Center, 2659 7th St. East, Maplewood 55119 Cost is $5.00. Register and prepay by April 22. Use the information gathered in your site assessment to design a rain garden. Work on your rain garden design with help from instructors and Master Gardeners. Note: Participants need to bring a map of your site and results of soil infiltration test. 4) RAIN GARDEN CONSTRUCTION WORKSHOP Thursday, May 6, 6:30 - 8:30PM Location: To Be Announced Cost is $5.00. Register and prepay by April 29 We’ll visit several rain gardens to discuss methods and challenges in rain garden design and construction. Learn how to convey water to and from the rain garden, the use of soil amendments, the design and use of under drains or overflow channels, inlets and outlets, use of stone retaining walls and tiered rain garden.
FREE Rain Barrel Installations For 2 Lucky Residents Nominate your yard for a free rain barrel installation! You must be a Maplewood resident, and be willing to host a one-time demonstration event in your yard. A videographer will tape the installation. Complete your Rain Barrel Installation application online at www.ci.maplewood.mn.us/extremegree by April 22. For more information call 651.249.2170. Reduce Your Lawn – Low Input Lawn Care Tuesday, April 6, 6:30 - 8:00PM at the Maplewood Nature Center, 2659 7th St. East, Maplewood, MN 55119 Cost is $5.00 per household. Register and pre-pay by April 3rd Learn about low input lawn care from U of MN’s Bob Mugaas who has evaluated alternative turf grasses and natural organic products for home use. He is actively involved in sustainability education, chemical and non-chemical weed control and lawn care practices for protecting water quality. His presentation will focus on ways to maintain lawn with minimum use of fertilizers and “An 80 gallon barrel emptied regularly can capture 3,275 chemicals, and reducing normal turf with some no-mow options. gallons of water per year from one side of a house.” -RWMWD
Extreme Green Landscaping Workshop
Saturday, April 24, 10:00AM - 2:00PM Refreshments provided by Cravings This is the PRIMO EVENT for planning your GREEN Yard! Come to one session or come to all. Location: Maplewood Nature Center, 2659 7th St. East, Maplewood, MN 55119 Cost is $10.00 for 1-2 adults per household, Register by April 22, First 10 registrants receive Goody Gift Bags! Designing for Sustainable Yards - Jim Calkins Learn to apply five key design elements to implement landscape plantings for year-round interest. Find out how to analyze your site for sun and shade and become familiar with Dr. Calkins’ favorite trees and shrubs that provide energy savings and perform beautifully in your yard. Sample landscape designs will illustrate these concepts. Native Wildflower Gardens – Shelley Larson, Hayland Woods Nursery Find out how to transform that tough, shady plot into a woodland garden. Shelley Larson’s favorite native fern and wildflower picks for shade will be highlighted. Plant selections will be available to order for May delivery. Sunny Gardens for Birds & Butterflies– Jan Hayman, Naturalist at MNC Learn about essential plants and features to attract butterflies and birds to your sunny garden. Take home sample garden plans to adapt for your yard. A Tree-Mendous Celebration Adults and Families Help us celebrate our state champion Pin Oak Tree with a special ceremony! It’s TREE-MONGUS! Then follow the tree quest to find the tree treasure chest. Information will be available on tree disease and tree care. There will be pruning, tree planting and arbor building demonstrations. Take home 2-3 foot oak and maple tree seedlings. Test your tree knowledge on the wheel of nature and go for rides in the Tree bucket. The view is great from the top! Enjoy spring treats from trees, crafts and music. Saturday, May 1, 2:00 - 4:00PM at the Maplewood Nature Center, 2659 7th St. E., Maplewood, MN 55119 FREE, Drop–in program Fish Creek Wildflower Hike Co-sponsored by Friends of Maplewood Nature Adults and Teens This site is a rare local example of the spring wildflowers you can grow in your yard. Discover the beauty of Maplewood’s southern most greenway and hear how local citizens propose to preserve the surrounding bluffs. Hike along the creek to experience the canyon’s natural environment and learn about its history. Be prepared for primitive trails and uneven terrain. Saturday, May 8, 1:00 - 3:00PM Meet at Oakwood Church, 1388 South Point Douglas Road, St. Paul. FREE, please call 651.249.2170 to register by May 6.
photo by Myra Smisek
Rain Barrel Installation Demonstration Choose one - May 11 or June 15, 7:00PM at Maplewood residential yards, TBA FREE. To register, call 651.249.2170 by May 9 or June 13 Watch Corrie Zoll of Metro Blooms install a rain barrel in a home landscape. Learn the techniques necessary for successful installation and get answers to your rain barrel questions. Waterfest at Lake Phalen
All ages – A family outdoors event by the RWMW District
Saturday, May 22, 10:00AM - 2:00PM at Phalen Park Beach House, 1400 Phalen Blvd. St Paul, MN 55106 All Waterfest events except the 5K run are FREE! Stop by the Maplewood Nature Center booth for information on the Extreme GREEN Makeover. Enjoy voyageur canoe rides, fishing lessons, a 5k Walk-Run & and more! Learn how to keep lakes clean for people and wildlife. Visit www.rwmwd.org for more information, or to sign up for the 5K run. Composting- Make your own Black Gold Saturday, June 12, 10:00 - 11:00AM at the Maplewood Nature Center, 2659 7th St. E., Maplewood, MN 55119 Cost is $5.00/per household Call 651.249.2170 to register by June 10 Leaves, kitchen scraps, and yard waste are a valuable resource that can be transformed into rich dark soil. Compost builds your soil and will make your garden and lawn plants vibrant and vigorous! Discover all the benefits of composting and receive a step-by-step guide for creating and using indoor worm bins or outdoor compost bins. Reduce your trash bill while creating your own lawn and garden fertilizer. Extremely GREEN Summer Party! Adults and Families Friday, June 18, 5:00 - 8:00PM at the Maplewood Nature Center, 2659 7th St. E., Maplewood, MN 55119 Cost is $5.00/family. Pre-paid registration appreciated. Celebrate summer vacation with Extremely Green games, crafts and activities in the new Nature Play Area at Maplewood Nature Center • Meet LEAP, the Extremely GREEN Frog. • Explore the Children’s butterfly garden, Oak Grove and Green Heron Pond. • Crawl, climb and leap along the Play Yard’s rocks, tunnel, bridges and trail. • Run rain water thru the canal to water the rain garden plants. • Roast “Not Dogs” and other treats over the campfire. Additional refreshments provided by Cravings. Lake Phalen Wildflower Walk * Tuesday, July 13, 6:30 - 8:30PM Meet at Phalen Park Beach House, 1400 Phalen Blvd. St Paul, MN 55106 FREE, Pre-registration required. To register, call Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District at 651.792.7965 or email shelly@rwmwd.org. Tour the incredible shoreline plantings at Lake Phalen! Learn to identify native wildflowers and find out how this shoreline was restored. *This great event takes place after the Green Makeover application deadline.
For more information & To Register www.ci.maplewood.mn.us/extremegreen Registration, classes & events 651.249.2170 Applying for the makeover 651.249.2181