What defines the “perfect Maine lawn”? One that’s safe for Maine kids, pets, wildlife and environment. Join the healthy lawn care movement. Learn ways to minimize or eliminate synthetic fertilizers, weed and bug killers; save money, time and effort; yet have a lush, beautiful lawn that’s “bare-foot safe” for kids and pets. Overview strategies to address fertilization, weed and thatch control, renovation of poor lawns, transitions to organic care and more. Whether you maintain your lawn or contract with professionals, round up neighbors and join. Teachings compatible with Town of Scarborough’s organic pest management (OPM) policy for school and town properties, as well as South Portland’s new ordinance. Kat implements community education and outreach programs for Cumberland County Soil and Water Conservation District, holds a degree in environmental education and communications from Green Mountain College, and offers this as a free community service.

Thursday, 03/30/2017, 6:00 to 8:00 pm

$5 adult ed processing fee

Instructor: Kat Munson

New! Come learn to create a landscape around your home that’s not only aesthetically beautiful, but produces delicious fruits and vegetables too! Discuss the selection and planning process, and enjoy a PowerPoint showcasing images of formal to informal styles of landscaping, and the variety of species possible. Consider edible trees, shrubs, flowers, herbs and perennial vegetables, such as sea kale, mulberry, and even a variety of peach that can thrive in our zone. Students will go home with seeds of several rare edible landscape plants. See instructor bio on page 9.

Monday, 02/27/2017, 6:30 to 8:30 pm, $20

Instructor: Aaron Parker

New! Trees provide us with much - beauty, shade, oxygen, means for shelter. But many species also provide delicious harvests of fruit, nuts or edible leaves. Learn about many often neglected species of tree crops suitable for our climate and how to care for them. Class one will cover different species of tree crops, along with some vines and shrubs, and how to choose the right ones for your space. Consider schisandra, hazelnut, mulberry, paw paw, peach, butternut and more. Class two will cover sourcing trees, proper planting and long term care. Students will take home seeds to grow their own trees and companion plants. 

Aaron is owner of Edgewood Nursery, specializing in unusual edibles, including uncommon fruits, medicinal herbs, perennial vegetables and permaculture plants; and also Edgewood Landscapes, focusing on edible landscapes and sustainable practices.

 Two Tuesdays, 03/21 and 03/28/2017

6:30 to 8:30 pm, $40

Instructor: Aaron Parker

New! You know the basics, started your organic lawn transition awhile back, maybe attended an intro workshop, and made good headway. But you need help with trouble spots. Weaning your lawn off of synthetic applications, while restoring soil biology and microbial activity, is a process. It requires supporting living soil and ecosystems, shifting to an ecological approach, new strategies, reasonable aesthetic and cultural expectations, and patience. The reward is a beautiful lawn that’s bare foot safe for family, pets and environment, with less cost and work over time. Gain a deeper understanding of the challenges of your emerging organic lawn, learn resources and solutions used by NOFA-accredited organic lawn care professionals (AOLCPs), and jumpstart your spring lawn care strategy. Teachings compatible with Town of Scarborough’s organic pest management (OPM) policy for school and town properties, as well as South Portland’s new ordinance. Dave owns Go Green Landscaping, Maine’s leading environmentally-responsible property care company, offering organic solutions for mosquito and tick control, landscape design and installation, and property maintenance; he offers this as a free community service.

 Monday, 04/03/2017, 6:30 to 8:00 pm

$10 adult ed processing fee

Instructor: Dave Melevski, MBA, AOLCP