Affordable & Practical Sustainable Gardening - 2026 Library Program

Whether living in an apartment, condo, or home with a large or small lot it is possible to garden sustainably.  In this series, we will look at affordable ways everyone can make a difference in their environment by supporting pollinators, incorporating native plants, growing some of their own food and managing their gardens and landscapes in a more sustainable manner.  From April – June, join Melinda for webinars, videos and do-it-yourself activities as she teams up with Public Libraries throughout Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and its patrons for this 2026 program.

The webinars and activities are completely free thanks to underwriting sponsor We Energies.

Gardening Webinars, Videos, and Activities

Sponsored by: 

3 Webinars presented by Melinda Myers:

#1 WEBINAR

Growing a Bountiful Harvest Even When Your Time, Space & Budget are Limited

Learn some tips and strategies that will help you to maximize your harvest in any available space. Whether you have a dedicated garden, grow in containers or squeeze fruits, vegetables, and herbs in your other garden beds, we will help you grow lots of produce no matter what your limitations. We will discuss plant varieties as well as planting and harvesting techniques to help increase your vegetable gardening success!

WATCH RECORDING

DOWNLOAD HANDOUT
 

#2 WEBINAR 

Adding Native Plants to Any Size Gardening Space

Whether gardening on a balcony, small city lot or larger space, Melinda will help you select the right native plants to include in gardens and containers. Including native plants provides many benefits such as capturing and helping clean and manage stormwater and supporting pollinators and other beneficial insects and songbirds. They add enjoyment and seasonal beauty to your landscape. Growing even a few native plants in a container can help support pollinators and songbirds and boost your enjoyment.

WATCH RECORDING

DOWNLOAD HANDOUT

ADDITIONAL FOLLOW UP INFORMATION

#3 WEBINAR

Managing Your Landscape with Pollinators in Mind

You can have a landscape that you and the pollinators will enjoy with a few changes to your garden and landscape maintenance. We’ll cover pollinator-friendly plant care to keep your containers, gardens and landscape healthy and looking its best throughout the year. Then we’ll explore ways to manage weeds, diseases and insect pests without chemicals that are harmful to your plants and visiting pollinators.

WATCH RECORDING
DOWNLOAD HANDOUT

Gardening How-To Videos & Activities

Be sure to share photos of your activities
on social media and include #APSustainableGardening to inspire others.

#1 Activity - Jump Start the Garden Season and Boost Your Nutrition

Plant one or more containers of cool season vegetables like peas, greens, radishes and beets in early spring. Start them from seed indoors and move them outside when the weather conditions are right. The video and activity guide will cover the following:

• About various cool season vegetables that can be started from seeds
• Tips on planting and care when sprouting and growing indoors
• How and when to move them outside

DOWNLOAD the ACTIVITY GUIDE and WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW

#2 Activity - Grow a Container of Native Plants

Add some native plants to your patio, deck, balcony or garden by growing some native plants and their cultivars in containers. Create attractive designs then keep them healthy and looking their best with proper care. During this activity you’ll learn:

• About various native plants and their cultivars suitable for growing in containers
• Tips on creating a healthy and attractive container garden design with native plants
• Caring for native plants growing in a container      

DOWNLOAD the ACTIVITY GUIDE and WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW

#3 Activity - Incorporate a Few Eco-friendly Gardening Practices that Make a Difference

Learn about low-maintenance and sustainable gardening practices including ways to recycle and repurpose landscape trimmings to grow a healthy landscape. Also, Melinda Myers will share ways to manage perennials for climate change, water conservation and pollinator habitats. During this activity you’ll learn:

• About low maintenance and sustainable gardening practices
• Ways to recycle and repurpose landscape trimmings to grow a healthy landscape
• Managing perennials for climate change, water conservation and pollinators

DOWNLOAD the ACTIVITY GUIDE and WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW

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