By Gail Maifeld, Master Gardener

Urban yards are looking different these days, as more and more residents are repurposing the turf space to flower or vegetable gardens. Major newspaper and magazines are publishing articles about gardens, pollinator friendly gardens, insect attracting gardens, and growing vegetables. Homeowners are getting onboard with gardening.

Tara Nolan sees endless possibilities in front yards in her book Gardening Your Front Yard. Nolan guides the reader via topics like, Front Yard Living, Eco-Friendly Ideas, and troubleshooting problems the gardener might face. There are sections about the construction of a pergola/arbor, installing a block patio, rain barrels, planting a hedge, and a guide to building solitary nesting sites. Each section includes pictures and diagrams.

Gardening Your Front Yard is a great book, that answers questions, adds depth to existing gardening, and creates enthusiasm for any gardening experience.

Have a gardening question? Seed starting troubles? What can I do outside right now? Is it safe to plant outdoors? Join the Dakota County Master Gardeners’ Ask a Master Gardener every Thursday starting April 22 from 7:00 PM until 8:00 PM to get answers to your questions.

Stop into our weekly Zoom meeting to get your questions answered! Click on over to our Event Calendar and find the date you wish to attend and follow the Join link.

The first session of Let’s Get Growing starts tonight! Join Linda as she talks about Gardening on Your Deck. If you are already registered you will have received an email, or two, with more information and the session link.

Not yet registered? Sign up now, or anytime before the last session, and you will receive a link to access all the presentations live as scheduled. For more information and to register, click here.

After the spring sessions were cancelled due to covid-19 we are now happy to be able to provide this programming virtually!

Growing Connections Nature Heals is a free gardening program, created exclusively for people living with early-stage dementia and their care partners, offered by Dakota County Master Gardeners in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association and Dakota County Communities for Living Initiative.

Learn more about session dates, detail and how to register here.