Chisago Lakes Community Education

Rain barrels harvest rainwater from roofs and other structures that can then be used to water gardens, lawns, and potted plants. Installing a rain barrel is an excellent way to reduce run-off and pollution as well as save MONEY! As much as 40% of residential water is used for irrigation in the summer. Participants will learn the ins and outs of rain barrels, site selection, and other tips to use rain barrels most efficiently. We will also talk about the pros and cons of many of the commercially available rain barrels and how to make your own. Residents within the Comfort Lake – Forest Lake Watershed District may be eligible for free rain barrels….join us to learn more. Participants will receive a free native plant book and there will be several gift certificates from local nurseries given away as door prizes.

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. Participants will receive a free native plant book and there will be several gift certificates from local nurseries given away as door prizes.

Learn how to put down some roots and use native plants in your landscaping, flower gardens, and everywhere else. We will help identify some of our favorite no-fail natives for a wide variety of soils, shade levels, and overall hardiness. These are the rough, tumble, aggressive, and easy to find native plants. Also learn some easy ways to integrate native plants into your current landscaping, or start a whole new project. Participants will receive a free native plant book and there will be several gift certificates from local nurseries given away as door prizes.

Let’s get things greened up and growing! Lawn care can be expensive and puzzling. 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. We will cover a wide variety of topics and answer your questions about watering, fertilizing, weed identification and so much more to make your lawn the best it can be. Residents within the Comfort Lake – Forest Lake Watershed District may be eligible for free soil testing….join us to learn more. 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 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 native plant book, and several door prizes will be given away from local plant specialists.

Are you struggling to establish plants and vegetation on a hill or slope? Are you fighting with erosion and washouts every time we get a big rain event? There are lots of varieties of native plants that will put down roots quickly and will hold their ground…and your ground. When it comes to native plants, it is all about the roots! Participants will receive a free native plant book and there will be several gift certificates from local nurseries given away as door prizes.