Dakota Master Gardeners

Dakota County Master Gardeners

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.

Announcing Let’s Get Growing 2019

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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!

Partnering with Habitat for Humanity

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Throughout the years Dakota County Master Gardeners have helped many Habitat for Humanity homeowners landscape and learn how to maintain the plants on their new property.    This year our commitment to Habitat for Humanity has a doubled.  Our first project culminated in a wonderful landscape design with plant installation and homeowner education taking place on July 7.  Three more projects are planned for September of this year.

Master Gardener assisting homeowner with plant placement.

 

Master Gardener shares perennial planting advice.

 

Spring Plant Sale this Saturday – Come Rain or Shine!

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For great deals on beautiful, hardy Minnesota garden grown perennials plus vegetable and herb plants head out to the Dakota County Fairgrounds in Farmington this Saturday from 9 – Noon. Bring your friends and a box or wagon to carry all you will find at our sale.  Master Gardeners will be available throughout the sale to answer your plant and garden questions.

Our sale is stocked with 100s of hardy perennials and tons of vegetable plants like peppers, tomatoes, broccoli, eggplant and more plus herbs too!  Visit our plant sale page for more information on perennials that will be available or see a complete list of vegetables and herbs.

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Show your support for the Dakota County Master Gardeners and all the amazing projects we help with throughout communities in Dakota County.  See you Saturday!

Spring Lawn Care

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May is the doing month in the garden.  It may seem overwhelming but by accomplishing these tasks now will make the rest of your summer more enjoyable!  Spring lawn care is no exception.  Here is a quick summary of what you can tackle to have a healthy and sustainable lawn.

Seed

Although fall is the ideal time to seed May is the second best time to overseed areas or start a new lawn area.  Many people have lawn damage from voles or our long winter of snow cover.  Spring rain and cooler temps make seeding a bit easier than later in the season.  If you are applying a pre-emergent crabgrass control be sure to not apply it where you are seeding new grass.  The same product that prevents crabgrass seeds from growing will do the same for your desirable grass seed.

Mow

Usually May is the first time we all need to get out the mower.  Make sure your blades are sharp and keep your grass at a height of 2-2.5″ to help shade the soil which prevents weeds and helps with moisture retention.  Mulch your clippings and return them to the lawn and get the equivilant of one application of nitrogen fertilizer

Aerate

If your lawn is lumpy-bumpy or hard and compacted a good core aeration will help even out the lawn and allow for better penetration of water into the soil.  Fall is the ideal time for this task, but spring is a close second.

Fertilize & Weed Control

Control weeds that grow from seed like crabgrass and dandelions with a pre-emergent weed treatment.  These products are often a combination weed control and fertilizer, but can also be purchased separately if you choose.  Just one application of fertilizer a year can help your grass thrive and reduce soil erosion.

For more information visit the Extension’s Lawn Care site.