Black gold Stop thinking about composting and start doing it. Maplewood Nature Center is offering a free class, "How to Compost: Breaking It Down," from 2 to 3 p.m. Saturday. The class explains how to turn yard and garden debris, leaves and kitchen scraps into rich black dirt to improve your soil. An "Earth Machine" compost bin prize will be awarded. 2659 E. 7th St., Maplewood. To register, call 651-249-2170.
Crafts, quilts and pumpkins After you're done admiring the outdoor fall beauty, head indoors to the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum herb and botanical sales Saturday and Sunday. The Harvest Sale and Quilt Raffle, featuring dried floral arrangements, potpourri, wreaths, textile arts, one-of-a-kind wool hats, purses and other accessories, is from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. A full-size quilt, hand-stitched by the auxiliary quilters, will be raffled off at 2 p.m. Saturday. The Minnesota Herb Society Autumn Sale features herbal crafts created by society members, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.
Take a break from shopping to gawk at the Pumpkin Palooza Display of hundreds of cucurbits (pumpkins, squash and gourds) grown at the U of M Horticultural Research Center in the Great Hall of the Oswald Visitor Center. Arboretum admission is $12 for adults; free for members and ages 12 and under. 3675 Arboretum Dr., Chaska. Visit www.arboretum.umn.edu or call 952-443-1400.
LYNN UNDERWOOD
