Needham Community Education

At some unknown point in time, mulch-- black, orange, brown, etc.-- became a part of the landscape, but wouldn't you rather have plants? Anywhere you can put mulch, you can dig a hole and put in a groundcover plant. Groundcover plants = living mulches. Think of the money, time and work you'll save on mulching every spring. And groundcovers are the go-to plant for low-maintenance gardens. Besides eliminating the need for mulch, they keep weeds from crowding in; they provide an extra layer of color and flowers; and they help maintain soil moisture, which means less watering. What's not to like about that? Come learn what to do before you start replacing your boring old mulch with fabulous new groundcovers and find out which groundcovers are right for your garden.

Your landscapes may be green, but is it GREEN? Would you like to educate yourself on best practices for maintaining beautiful landscapes, while protecting the environment? Gain an understanding of what you can do to GREEN up your gardens and yard. Topics that will be covered include: 1.Importance of trees and how to care for them 2.How and why to shrink your lawn to reduce work and expense 3.Why you should plant some new, native plants to support pollinators, birds, etc. 4.How to reduce fall maintenance and expense by keeping (some) fallen leaves on your property 5.How and why to reduce chemical use in your yard.

What are “native plants” and why should you add them to your landscape? Native plants support bugs, birds, butterflies and other wildlife, and contribute to an environment that is more resilient in the face of climate change. If properly sited, most don’t need supplemental watering once established, and none need fertilizer or pesticides. Not sure how or where to start? Take this class to learn which natives might already be in your garden and which others would do well there, with an inspiring Powerpoint presentation and comprehensive list of plants. Find out where to buy native plants and how to prepare and maintain your existing landscape to successfully grow them. Make your gardening life easier and your garden easy on the eyes, while also doing your part to support pollinators and better the environment!