Thinking about planting native plants this year—but not sure where to start? Or maybe you already have a rain garden or pollinator planting and want to make sure it thrives long-term. Blue Thumb’s spring Planting for Clean Water workshops are designed to meet you where you are, with practical guidance, expert support, and plenty of time to ask questions and explore your own project ideas.
Whether your goal is cleaner water, healthier habitat for pollinators, or better care for an existing native garden, there’s a workshop for you.
Which workshop is right for you?
Planting for Clean Water
If you’re curious about how water moves across your yard—and how your landscape can help protect local lakes and rivers—this workshop is a great place to start.
You’ll learn how to manage runoff using rain gardens, rain barrels, and native plants, while gaining a better understanding of water flow across residential landscapes. A Blue Thumb expert leads the presentation, followed by small-group time with landscape designers and Master Gardeners to get feedback on your project ideas and learn about local resources to help you move forward.
Planting for Clean Water: Shorelines
Do you live near a lake, river, or pond? This workshop is designed specifically for shoreline property owners who want to protect water quality near their home.
Participants learn shoreline fundamentals including site assessments, native plant selection, upland buffer plantings, and shoreline restoration approaches. Blue Thumb experts also cover regulatory reminders and share resources to support successful shoreline projects. The workshop includes a presentation and dedicated time for questions.
Planting for Pollinators
Interested in attracting bees, butterflies, birds, and other wildlife to your yard? This workshop focuses on creating beautiful, functional habitat using native plants.
You’ll learn how to select and place native trees, shrubs, and perennials, design a pollinator-friendly garden, and support a healthy yard ecosystem. After a presentation from a Blue Thumb expert, participants break into small groups to connect with landscape designers and Master Gardeners for project feedback, planning support, and local resources.
Native Garden Maintenance
Already have a native planting or rain garden? This hands-on workshop helps you care for it with confidence.
Held at mature native plantings, this in-person workshop focuses on site inspection, native plant and weed identification, invasive species removal, maintenance timing, and rain garden inlet care. Led by a Blue Thumb landcare expert, participants also have the opportunity to practice maintenance skills on site. This workshop is an excellent follow-up to any of the planting-focused workshops above.
Register and see additional workshop topics on our Events Page. Additional workshops are added throughout the season!
Flexible Ways to Learn
Blue Thumb workshops are offered both virtually and in person throughout the Twin Cities area. Registration is typically $15, with sliding-scale options available for some workshops.
Prefer to learn at your own pace? Check out our free Resilient Yards online learning series, which includes courses on Resilient Yards, Turf Alternatives, Seed Saving, and Resilient Shorelines. Each course features short videos that walk you through each step of your project.
Explore upcoming workshops and register at bluethumb.org/events!
Have questions? Email us at info@bluethumb.org.