Dakota Master Gardeners

Welcome To The University of Minnesota Extension Master Gardeners in Dakota County

Book Recommendation: Native Plants of the Midwest

By Leave a Comment

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

By Leave a Comment

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

By 2 Comments

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.

Upcoming Classes to Get You Thinking Spring

By Leave a Comment

Whether it looks like mid-January or not, spring is just a few months away.  Master Gardeners have some great FREE classes lined up to get you thinking about the gardening season ahead. And don’t forget Let’s Get Growing. Full details on all upcoming classes can be viewed on our Event Calendar, but here’s what is coming soon.

Let’s Talk Gardening! Planning and Planting a Successful Vegetable Garden

Saturday January 26, 2019 – 10:30 am – Noon

Dakota County – Farmington Library
508 Third Street
Farmington, MN 55024

Learn how to read a seed packet and decide which varieties are best for your garden.

Starting Your Seeds Indoors / Seed Swap

Saturday Feb. 23, 2019 – 10:30 am – Noon

Dakota County – Farmington Library
508 Third Street
Farmington, MN 55024

Ever thought about starting seeds indoors? Join Dakota County Master Gardeners Rachael Cochrane and Barb Webb for this fun and interactive workshop! We will learn different ways to start seeds indoors, from planting in empty milk jugs or starting seed trays under grow lights, to a more elaborate greenhouse setup.

Getting Your Garden Ready for Spring

Thursday Feb. 28, 2019 – 7:00 – 7:45 pm

Hosted by Apple Valley Garden Club

Apple Valley Community Center
14603 Hayes Rd.
Apple Valley, MN 55124

2019 is starting out in a very unpredictable way with unusually mild temperatures in January and little to no snow in the Dakota County area. It  almost seems like Spring is right around the corner but don’t be fooled. Regardless of when spring really decides to show its face, it is important to take care of spring yard and garden clean-up at the right time; keeping in mind starting too early may cause some issues and waiting too long might delay your garden.

Let’s Get Growing 2019

And don’t forget the main event – Let’s Get Growing held Saturday, March 2nd at the Rosemount Community Center where you have fun and learn a lot about gardening too!

Let’s Get Growing Keynote Speaker

By Leave a Comment


Each year, Let’s Get Growing offers a fantastic keynote speaker and this year is no exception.  Saturday, March 2nd we welcome Alan Branhagen, Director of Operations at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum presenting Native Plants of the Midwest.

Alan’s presentation is based on his 2016 book by the same title, Native Plants of the Midwest. Alan states that he wrote the book as a practical resource that helps gardeners be successful in selecting, growing and maintaining Midwestern native plants.  Alan states that there are widespread misunderstandings about how to define native plants and why they are so valuable to a healthy environment.  These questions and more will be answered in the presentation. Books will be available for sale and signing.

Alan Branhagen is Director of Operations at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, where he supervises capital improvements, horticulture and natural resources, plant curation, facilities, and information technology. In addition to his book on native plants, Alan has written The Gardener’s Butterfly Book, plus articles for Fine Gardening, Landscape Maintenance and Restoration, and other gardening articles.

Don’t miss this great event and register for Let’s Get Growing today.  Space is limited.