Dakota Master Gardeners

Dakota County Master Gardeners

Caring for Orchids Class

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The Dakota County Master Gardeners are lucky to have orchid pro Paul Wood as one of our members.  Paul recently shared his knowledge about orchids with all of us at a recent meeting, but Paul also shares his orchid keeping tips with everyone by offering classes during the year.  Paul’s next class is Orchid Care on April 22 at the Diamondhead Community Center in Burnsville.  Registration today!

Paul Wood has been a lifetime gardener. He is a University of Minnesota Extension Master Gardener and a member of the Orchid Society of Minnesota. He has been actively caring for orchids in his home, with varying degrees of success, for the last 15 years. He currently tends 40 orchids.

 

April Class Schedule

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April is just around the corner and that means it is time to really start thinking about your yard and gardens.  We have several great offerings covering vegetable gardening, bee friendly practices, new plant varieties, orchids and more.  Many classes are free, but a couple do require a fee and registration.  View our April calendar and make your plans today!

Events Calendar

Book Recommendation: Native Plants of the Midwest

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Native Plants of the Midwest is a comprehensive guide to the best 500 species for the garden by Alan Branhagen, our keynote speaker at Let’s Get Growing. Mr. Branhagen is director of horticulture at Powell Gardens, Kansas City’s botanical garden. He is a naturalist specializing in natural and prairie plants.

Those of us native to the Midwest, Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, Dakotas, Kansas, Missouri, and Minnesota already know the importance of the tall grass prairies and native plants.  Beginning with the introduction you will recognize what Branhagen writes about: Boreal forests, Burr Oak Savannas, Paintbrush Prairie, Tall Grass Prairies, Prairie Potholes, and classic trees and shrubs of the Midwest.

Native Plants of the Midwest is a comprehensive book that gathers many best practices together and would be great for any gardener who wishes to incorporate more native plants into their landscape.

Four Great Reasons to Attend Let’s Get Growing

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So you still haven’t registered for Let’s Get Growing? Here are four great reasons you don’t want to miss out – our four fantastic classes for the first morning session.  There really is something for everyone, each attendee can select one of these great classes.  Check out Let’s Get Growing for a complete schedule for the day and reserve your spot!

Exciting New Shrubs and Perennials for Northern Gardens

Bailey Nurseries Product Development Manager, Debbie Lonnee, states that 20 years ago there weren’t any plant “brands”.  New brands have hit the market and many new hybrids are appearing every year.  Which ones work best in our cold northern climate? Debbie will present the best of the newest woody shrubs and perennials that work in Zone 4 gardens.

Invasive Plants in our Landscapes

Master Gardener Sally McNamara will share information and photos of 15 of our most invasive landscape plants including amur maple, garlic mustard, burdock and crown vetch.  For each of these invasive plants, she will share information on why they are a problem for both homeowners and wildlife.  She will make suggestions on eradication, and suggest possible alternative plants as replacements.  Sally has worked both in her home landscape and on several Mendota Heights landscape projects involving invasive plants. She considers herself a “plant geek” and you may not find too much lawn in her yard.

Richard Webb, Self-employed horticulturist, Bugwood.org

Veggies for Small Spaces

Theresa Mieseler, herb grower and consultant from Shady Acres Herb Farm, will share a presentation on how to grow your own vegetables on your porch, patio or balcony. Learn where to order seeds suitable for small spaces, learn about containers to use, and how to plant, care for and harvest your favorite vegetables.

The Lazy Guide to Home Composting

New to composting or want to learn more?  Dakota County Environmental Specialist Jenny Kedward will share the basics of home composting as well as what items you should not put into your backyard pile.  She will explore different types of home composting set-ups with her audience and help them decide what is right for their yards.  Composting is an easy way to reduce waste while improving the home yards and garden soils. It is easy to get started.

Garden Highlights: Dakota Village Herb Garden

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Master Gardener, Sally McNamara, works with the Herb Garden located in Dakota Village at the Dakota County Fairgrounds in Farmington and is happy to share her thoughts on this project.

Many plants have been and are now used for culinary and medicinal purposes. “Herb” is the term we use for plants in this category which is a very large group and very different depending on climate and culture. The intent of this particular herb garden is to feature herbs that would have been grown and used around 1900 with a focus on herbs which are easily touched, smelled and tasted. We want the many people who tour Dakota Village to be able to directly connect with these herbs.  Signage has been important to this garden as it is mostly visited when no Master Gardeners are present.

There is a very deliberate stepping stone path through the garden for the express purpose of increasing the visitor’s contact with the  herbs, especially to touch and smell. The thyme was planted to create a soft border on the path which it has done with excessive enthusiasm.  

The garden is a combination of perennial and annual herbs.  When the garden was established the perennials chamomile, chives, comfrey, oregano, mint, echinacea, monarda and thyme were transplanted from various gardens. The horehound, sage, salad burnet, anise hyssop and winter savory were purchased plants and they overwinter in the garden while bay and rosemary are overwintered in a home since Minnesota winters are too hard on them. Dill, borage and some parsleys have been seeded and tend to reseed while basil, calendula, parsleys, dill, marigolds and nasturtium are planted annually.  In 1900 the garden might not have been mulched, but mulching helps minimize weeds and retain moisture making the gardens tidier and easier to maintain throughout the season.

Visit the UMN Extension site for more information on Growing Herbs in the Home Garden.