Plant Sales, Cleanups, and Workshops: Your Guide to a Greener Spring
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Spring is here, and your yard (and your community) are ready for a refresh. Whether you’re dreaming of a pollinator-friendly garden, adding a rain barrel, or finally planting that tree, April and May are full of opportunities to make some Earth-friendly upgrades—without draining your wallet.
It’s also cleanup season! Winter leaves behind a surprising amount of trash, and local Earth Day cleanup events are popping up all over the Twin Cities metro. It’s not glamorous, but it’s weirdly satisfying and only takes an hour or two—all you need to do is show up and leave things better than you found them.
To make your life easier, we’ve rounded up all the plant sales, cleanup events, yard care workshops, and general eco-goodness happening in and around our watershed this spring. Think of it as your Earth Month cheat sheet. Whether you’re new to this or a seasoned native plant pro, there’s something here for everyone.
Check it out, make a plan , and maybe bring a friend or two.
And if you know of an event we missed, email us at contacts@mwmo.org. We’re always happy to add more awesome to the list.
Let’s go make the Earth a little better. One plant (or trash bag) at a time.
Plants That Belong Here, and Places to Get Them
Mark your calendars! These upcoming sales are your chance to grab native plants, trees, and even veggies at budget-friendly prices. Many offer online pre-orders, so be sure to check each link for the details.
Can’t make it to a sale? No worries—you can still find great options through local native plant retailers. We’ve got a list of local native plant suppliers ready for you, and so does the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, with a handy statewide guide broken down by region.
Lake Country School Plant Sale
May 8–9 @ 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Lake Country School, 3755 Pleasant Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55409 (map)
Description: “Get ready to stock your garden! The LCS Plant Sale will take place May 8–9 in the school parking lot, featuring organically grown vegetables, herbs, flowers, and native plants. Preorder now to secure the best selection—orders are open until the week of the sale, but items sell out fast!”
Minnesota Landscape Arboretum Plant Sale
May 9–10 @ 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Farm at the Arb, 3210 W 82nd Street, Chanhassen, MN 55317 (map)
Description: “Shop for plants selected by Minnesota Landscape Arboretum horticultural experts at this annual sale featuring a fabulous selection of annuals, perennials, fruits, vegetables, herbs, lilies, roses, hostas, Minnesota natives, trees and several varieties of U of M-introduced apple and fruit trees, grapes, azaleas and shrubs.”
Northern Lights Plant Sale
May 9–10 @ 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Talmud Torah Building, 768 Hamline Ave S, St Paul, MN 55116 (map)
Description: “The Northern Lights Plant Sale is a fundraiser for the St. Paul School of Northern Lights Parent and Family Group. One hundred percent of proceeds from our plant sale support PUBLIC education at Northern Lights, a K–8 free, public charter school in Saint Paul, Minnesota.”
Friends School Plant Sale
May 9–11 @ Various Times Minnesota State Fair Grandstand, 1300 Liggett St, Falcon Heights, MN 55108 (map)
Description: “Every May since 1989, on Mothers Day weekend, our little school has put on what has become one of the biggest fundraising plant sales in the U.S. This three-day sale, almost entirely run by volunteers, offers more than 2,000 plant varieties at affordable prices. And every purchase helps support a great cause — the Friends School of Minnesota.”
Anoka County Master Gardener Plant Sale
May 13 @ 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. Anoka County Fairgrounds, 3200 St. Francis Blvd., Anoka, MN 55303 (map)
Description: “Select from a wide variety of hundreds of reasonably priced plants including sun and shade perennials, native plants, ornamental grasses, herbs, vegetables, houseplants, pollinator magnates, annuals and more. Our extension Master Gardeners will be on hand to help answer questions and offer suggestions for finding the right plant for the right place.”
Hennepin County Master Gardener Plant Sale
May 17 @ 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Hopkins Pavilion, 11000 Excelsior Blvd, Hopkins, MN 55343 (map)
Description: “With over 20,000 plants available—including perennials, annuals, native species, vegetables, herbs, and more—this is one of the largest plant sales in Hennepin County. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just getting started, Master Gardener Volunteers will be on hand to answer your questions and help you find the right plants for your space. Bring a wagon to carry your finds and enjoy free parking while you shop!”
Burnsville Native Plant Market
May 17 @ 9 a.m. – Noon 12550 Nicollet Ave, Burnsville, MN 55337 (map)
Description: “The City of Burnsville’s annual spring Native Plant Market encourages people to grow native plants in their yards. Burnsville and non-Burnsville residents are welcome to attend! This year’s event will be held on 126th Street next to Nicollet Commons Park, with some vendors offering pre-orders. Dakota Valley Recycling is also hosting a garden tool swap is alongside the plant market so bring your unneeded tools or garden supplies.”
Ramsey County Master Gardeners Plant Sale
May 17 @ 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Aldrich Ice Arena, 1850 White Bear Ave, Maplewood, MN 55109 (map)
Description: “The Ramsey County Master Gardeners Annual Plant Sale offers a vibrant array of perennials, annuals, herbs and vegetables grown by Master Gardener volunteers and select local wholesale growers.”
Washington County Master Gardeners Plant Sale & Garden Expo
May 17 @ 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Washington County Fairgrounds, 12300 40th St N, Lake Elmo (map)
Description: “Come explore an abundance of sprouts and seedlings to add to gardens and planters this summer. Choose from hundreds of varieties of plants including annuals and perennials, native and prairie plants, monarch and pollinator favorites, grasses, shade loving plants, and vegetables including heirloom tomatoes and herbs.”
Big River Big Woods Native Plant Sale
May 31–June 1 @ Various Times 3974 Fairview Ave N, Arden Hills, MN, 55112
Description: “The Northern Holler Native Plant Sale offers a relaxed, garage sale–style alternative to large plant sales, featuring over 50 species of native wildflowers, grasses, sedges, and ferns, along with pre-made pollinator flats and a variety of tree and shrub seedlings that support birds and pollinators. All plants are first-come, first-serve, with discounted 3-packs and 6-packs available. Located just east of Mounds View High School off Lake Valentine Road, this two-day event supports the Wild Ones Big River Big Woods Chapter in Roseville and St. Paul.”
Attend a Blue Thumb Workshop 
A Metro Blooms staff member demonstrates how to untangle roots before planting.
What if your yard could do more than just look nice? What if it could also filter pollution, support pollinators, manage stormwater, and even fight climate change? Turns out—it can. And Blue Thumb workshops are here to show you how.
Offered both online and in-person by Metro Blooms, the Blue Thumb are led by experts in sustainable landscaping and designed for anyone who wants to turn their yard into something more than just grass. In 2025, Blue Thumb (via Metro Blooms) is offering four free online courses and a lineup of live events around the Twin Cities:
- Resilient Yards: Learn how to create beautiful habitat for pollinators, protect clean water, and restore the ecology of your yard.
- Turf Alternatives: Learn how to convert a conventional turfgrass lawn into a flowering pollinator lawn.
- Seed Saving: Discover how to harvest and preserve native seeds for your future planting projects.
- Resilient Shorelines: Geared for folks who live on or near shoreline, this workshop gives step-by-step guidance for installing a native planting project.
You can register for the free online Resilient Yards Learning Series right now, or check out the schedule of live workshops happening across the metro this spring. Full details and registration info are on the Blue Thumb website.
Add a Rain Barrel or Compost Bin 
Rain barrels are a great way to turn your stormwater runoff into a resource, and they’re on sale right now.
Rain barrels collect runoff from rooftops and store it for later use—like watering your garden during dry spells. Not only do they reduce your use of potable water, they also help keep storm drains from being overwhelmed during big downpours by capturing the first rush of runoff (which, science tip, often carries the most pollutants).
Each spring, the Recycling Association of Minnesota teams up with local governments and nonprofits to offer high-quality rain barrels and compost bins at discounted prices. You can order online and pick up at locations around the Twin Cities.
Missed the sale? No problem—most hardware stores carry rain barrels in all sorts of shapes and styles. A little research goes a long way toward finding the setup that works best for your yard. And if you’re not quite sure how to install or use one, we’ve got a blog post and how-to video to help you out.
Become a Water Watcher 
Minnesota has a lot of water—over 12,000 lakes and nearly 92,000 miles of streams, to be exact. That’s a lot of water to keep an eye on, which is exactly why the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is looking for volunteers to help track water quality across the state.
Through the Volunteer Water Monitoring Program, you can join a community of everyday scientists helping monitor the health of our lakes and streams. It’s low-tech, surprisingly calming, and genuinely useful—your data helps scientists monitor long-term trends and catch early signs of pollution or habitat change.
Lake volunteers just need access to a canoe, kayak, or other small watercraft. Stream volunteers can collect readings from bridges, banks, or designated access points. Either way, the commitment is just a couple of readings a month during open water season, and boom—you’re contributing to real, long-term science.
The MPCA provides the training and tools; you provide a little time and a love for water. It’s one of the easiest, most peaceful ways to get involved in environmental science—plus, it gives you an excellent excuse to spend more time by the water.
Help Clean Up the Watershed 
Volunteers help pick up trash at the Kasota Ponds Clean Up event
Earth Day cleanups are back, and they’re a great way to make a visible difference in your community with just an hour or two of your time. Dozens of cleanup events are happening all over the Twin Cities metro—including many right here in our watershed—giving you the chance to help protect local lakes, rivers, and streams while getting a little fresh air and exercise.
Find a cleanup near you, grab some gloves, and help kick off spring by keeping our shared spaces clean and beautiful.
Kasota Ponds Community Cleanup
Saturday, April 12, 2025 @ 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. (Rain Date: Sunday, April 27) 2530 Kasota Ave, St Paul, MN 55108
Help protect a hidden gem of urban habitat! Volunteers are needed for the annual cleanup of the Kasota Ponds—small but ecologically important wetlands in St. Paul. Hosted by the St. Anthony Park Community Council, with MWMO staff on site to talk about water quality and answer your watershed questions. Gloves and bags will be provided, so just bring yourself (and maybe a friend) and help make a difference!
Earth Day 5K Bee Fun Run/Walk and River Cleanup
Saturday, April 19, 2025 @ 9 a.m. – Noon Boom Island Park
Celebrate Earth Day with movement and impact at the Great River Coalition’s 10th annual 5K Bee Fun Run/Walk and River Cleanup. Held at Boom Island Park, this event combines outdoor fun with hands-on environmental action. Learn more and registeron their website.
Minneapolis Parks Earth Day Cleanups
Saturday, April 19, 2025 @ 9:30 a.m. – Noon Minneapolis, Multiple Locations
Join the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board for its annual Earth Day cleanup, happening at over 40 parks across the city. No registration needed—just show up, pitch in, and help keep Minneapolis parks beautiful. Participation is free. Learn more >
River Gorge Cleanup with Friends of the Mississippi River
Saturday, April 19, 2025 @ 9:30 a.m. – Noon West River Parkway and 36th Street/44th Street, Minneapolis
Join Friends of the Mississippi River and the Longfellow Community Council for an Earth Day cleanup in the scenic Minneapolis River Gorge—part of the larger citywide effort led by MPRB. Help protect this unique natural area while connecting with your community. Learn more >
Columbia Heights Earth Day Street Cleanup
Saturday, April 26, 2025 @ 9 a.m. Columbia Heights Public Library
Join HeightsNEXT for their annual Columbia Heights Earth Day Cleanup, kicking off at the Columbia Heights Public Library at 9 a.m. Volunteers are asked to bring their own gloves and sturdy shoes—safety vests, grabbers, and collection bags will be provided. Come help give the streets a fresh start for spring!
Saint Anthony Village Earth Day Parks Clean-Up
Saturday, April 26, 2025 @ 10 a.m. – Noon St. Anthony Village, Multiple Locations (See all locations here)
Help give Saint Anthony Village parks a spring cleaning by picking up trash or helping with light gardening—no experience needed. Find park locations, safety tips, and full event details on their website.
St. Paul Citywide Spring Cleanup
Choose your own date and time St. Paul, Multiple Locations
This year, St. Paul is reimagining itsCitywide Spring Cleanup to give residents and community groups more flexibility. Instead of a one-day event, you’re invited to celebrate Earth Day’s 55th anniversary by organizing your own cleanup—anytime, anywhere throughout the year. Pick a park, trail, or neighborhood spot; request supplies from the City or bring your own; and share your impact using #CitywideCleanup and #MySaintPaulParks. Request cleanup supplies here>
Early Spring Dos and Don’ts (Because Nature Has a Schedule)
- Don’t jump the gun on garden cleanup! Lots of native pollinators are still snoozing in the leaf litter and stems, so give them time to wake up. Wait until temps are consistently above 50°F before you tidy up. Your future butterflies will thank you.
- Do Adopt a storm drain in your neighborhood. It’s weirdly satisfying and actually makes a difference—clean drains mean less flooding and fewer pollutants heading straight for the Mississippi River.
- Do get outside and soak it all in. Spring ephemerals (those blink-and-you-miss-them wildflowers) are popping up in places like the Mississippi River Gorge. Go take a walk, breathe deeply, and geek out about plants.
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