Tori Clark

Upcoming Classes to Get You Thinking Spring

January 15, 2019 By Tori Clark 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

January 7, 2019 By Tori Clark 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.

Announcing Let’s Get Growing 2019

December 15, 2018 By Tori Clark Leave a Comment

It may be cold and snowy outside right now, but spring is not far away! Join the University of Minnesota Master Gardeners of Dakota County for our annual 2019 Spring Expo.

Saturday, March 2, 2019

8:00 AM – 2:30 PM

Rosemount Community Center

Let’s Get Growing is an expo for home gardeners of all skill levels looking to learn more and have a fun time! Topics this year include new shrubs and perennials, small space gardening, composting and much more! Our keynote speaker is Alan Branhagen, Director of Operations MN Landscape Arboretum speaking about Native Plants of the Midwest. For session information and all the event details, visit our website.

Register for Let’s Get Growing and get a jump on the 2019 gardening season. Class sizes are limited so register early for best selection!

Partnership with Mendota Heights Continues

August 21, 2018 By Tori Clark Leave a Comment

Using research based education and experience, Dakota County Master Gardeners have worked in partnership with the City of Mendota Heights since 2016 when the city passed a resolution to be pollinator friendly. Since then, Master Gardeners along with the city’s Public Works Director developed a plan to increase sustainable landscape and pollinator friendly practices in the city.

As part of the partnership, city staff asked the Master Gardeners to review the landscape plans of developers seeking approval for project permits in the city. As a result, they have been able to work to incorporate sustainable practices and plants in the designs. This partnership is a great example of how Master Gardeners can use their education and skills to influence decision makers in their communities throughout the county.

For information on other partnership projects in Mendota Heights, click here.

MGs at the Dakota County Fair

August 21, 2018 By Tori Clark Leave a Comment

Once again the Dakota County Master Gardeners were at the fair in the Children’s Garden. The theme for the garden this year was “Outer Space Spectacular” with plants highlighting the theme of each garden space for families to explore and have a “blast”! Hope you had a chance to visit the Children’s Garden or saw us at the Dakota Village or the Ask A Master Gardener booth where we got to talk with over 500 people during the week.

Come Grow with Us!

August 7, 2018 By Tori Clark Leave a Comment

Join our outgoing community of Master Gardeners in Dakota County by applying to become a Master Gardener. The application for this year is now available on our website along with all the details and deadlines.

The mission of the Dakota County Extension Master Gardener program is to educate and assist the public by answering questions and solving problems about horticulture and related environmental topics. There are more than 130 Dakota County residents who are University of Minnesota Extension-trained and volunteer thousands of hours each year. Come grow with us!