Creating a Home Landscape: Sustainable Design Basics for Homeowners

Home Landscape class, photo by Scott E. Feuer/Shutterstock

Photo by Scott E. Feuer

Date

5 session series: FALL or WINTER

FALL - Saturdays, Sept. 19, Oct. 3, 17, 31, Nov. 14, 2026, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. 

WINTER - Saturdays, Jan. 2, 16, 30, Feb. 13, 27, 2027, 1:30-4:30 p.m.

Fee

Select a price option at checkout:

Single  $225 member/$325 non-member, includes Arboretum admission and all supplies / Couples price! $275 member/$375 non-member, includes Arboretum admission and all supplies, for couples working together on the same project.

REGISTER - Fall     

REGISTER - Winter

Program location: Farm at the Arb - McVay Learning Lab (in the Bee Center)

Age

Adult 18+

Skill level
Introductory


Instructor: Jim Calkins, landscape and production horticulturist and research information director at the Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association

Do you dream about having a beautiful home landscape or have a specific landscape project in mind, but don't know how to get started? This is your opportunity to learn the basic principles of landscape design and avoid making the mistakes made by novices and professionals alike. The foundation of success is having a thoughtful, site-specific design. In this progressive, five-session workshop, you will understand the basics, avoid common mistakes and get your landscape project off the ground! The curriculum is intensive and has been specifically developed to allow you to use your own property as a class project and apply the techniques learned directly to your home landscape.  

Learn in class and through take-home assignments: 

  • Theory and principles of sustainable landscape design
  • Site analysis and the landscape design process
  • Base plans, concept plans, draft and completed designs
  • How to analyze soils and other site characteristics
  • Proper plant selection for your site
  • How to mix and match plants based on function and landscape characteristics
  • Develop effective bedlines
  • Understand the critically important relationship between design and implementation
  • How to develop a functional, manageable, environmentally sound, cost-effective and visually pleasing design unique to your home setting

Each week’s lecture and discussion will culminate in a hands-on, take-home assignment that will allow attendees to put pencil to paper and apply the techniques learned to their personal landscape projects in preparation for the next workshop session and the next steps in the landscape design process. In addition to class group learning, there will be time for the instructor to check-in and provide advice specific to each participant’s project.

Supplies/Equipment: Fee includes Arboretum admission and all supplies.

Homework: Review the Landscape Design Series letter from the instructor with homework assignment(s) prior to your first class. You may also want to have a soil test completed prior to class, especially if you are registered for the Winter series, as the ground will likely be frozen and becoming snow covered by mid-November.

Maximum participants
16 individual or couple registrations
Arboretum entry instructions

We recommend that you enter the Arboretum via the back gate on 82nd St, not the main entrance on Hwy 5. This is the most direct route to access the Farm at the Arb, and avoids potential delays when driving through the Arboretum.

Directions: 3210 W 82nd St, Chanhassen, MN 55317

If you do wish to enter through the main Arboretum gate on Hwy 5, you can take 3-Mile Drive through the Arboretum and turn right on Peter Moe Drive to get to the Bee Center (this route may take an additional 15-20 minutes, so please plan accordingly).  Note: in winter months 3-mile Drive may be closed, please check before arrival.

Main Entry instructions:
You will receive a bar-code ticket for entry to the Arboretum in your email purchase confirmation. Your ticket is valid for entry on the day of your class. Present your ticket to the gate attendant as you enter the Arboretum. You may stay at the Arboretum after class as long as you want during our operating hours.