Let’s Get Growing is an event for home gardeners of all skill levels looking to learn more and have a great time. This event includes classes, a keynote speaker, lunch, silent auction and a chance to win door prizes too. Classes are taught by U of M Master Gardeners as well as horticulture professionals.
Please join us on Saturday, Feburary 29, 2020 from 8AM – 2:30PM for Let’s Get Growing at the Rosemount Community Center. Admission is just $40 and includes interesting and informative classes on a wide variety of gardening topics, morning refreshments, silent auction, lunch and a chance to win door prizes too. Come to enjoy friendly people, a garden marketplace where you can peruse and purchase books, garden decor and more (cash and checks only please) and a spring-time atmosphere!
Event Agenda
8:00 Check-In & Refreshments
9:00 Welcome
9:30 Session I (Attend one of four classes)
Winning Rose Cultivars
In his presentation, David Zlesak will share with his audience, “The American Rose Trials for Sustainability Program and Winning Rose Cultivars.” He will describe how green industry professionals are working to identify the most sustainable, hardy pest-resistant and beautiful roses. He will highlight A.R.T.S. winners and other strong cultivars for Minnesota Gardens.
Landscaping for Clean Water
In this presentation, “Landscaping for Clean Water,” Joe Barten will share how the Dakota County Landscaping for Clean Water program partners with residents concerned with water quality and wildlife habitat. He will share information on the educational workshops held every year on water quality issues, such as backyard conservation projects, native gardens, raingardens, and shoreline plantings.
Everything You Want to Know about Tomatoes
Dave Olson and Cheryl Forrest Dave Olson and Cheryl Forrest will guide you through successful tomato growing techniques, starting with growing the plants from seeds, transplanting them to larger containers, hardening them off, and then planting them in the garden. Included in this presentation will be information on the difference between determinate and indeterminate tomatoes, and the advantages of both heirloom and hybrids. They will present ideas about selecting particular varieties and talk about choosing cherry, medium-sized or beefsteak tomatoes depending upon your space and personal preference. They will also give tips on summer maintenance including watering, fertilizing, preventing disease, mulching, and staking. Last, they will share information about harvesting and preserving the extra tomatoes safely and easily.
Eat Dirt
Enjoy a passionate talk “Eat Dirt” by Dean Englemann as he shares the alternative farming and gardening methods used at Tangletown Gardens Farm. Dean will dive into soil health and how it affects plants, the environment, and the world around us. He’ll also explain how they use aquaponics and their greenhouse to produce food year-round. There will be many tips and tricks that you can use in your own gardening endeavors or in the food choices you make. He will cover how important soil is for the nutritional quality of our food. If you eat, there is something in it for you!
10:30 Break
Visit with other gardeners, shop the Garden Marketplace and get your questions answered at the Ask a MG table.
10:45 Session II (Attend one of four classes)
Shear Madness: Pruning Trees and Shrubs
Faith Appelquist first explains why we prune trees, how to make the proper cuts, and the timing of pruning. In addition, learn how to avoid tree pruning mistakes and their consequences, along with understanding the tree response to pruning. Example tree species will be highlighted.
In the second section, learn how to take the guesswork out of pruning overgrown, or over-planted shrubs, including information about the types of pruning cuts and what tools to use. She will also cover the biology behind pruning, common pruning mistakes, when to prune for optimal flower show, rejuvenation pruning and evergreens. All information will be tailored for shrubs specific to our region.
I Will Survive: Adaptable Plants
In her presentation, Sue Evarts will share the many ways that plants take clues from their environment and respond accordingly. Unlike animals, plants are stationary. They cannot move out of the sun, cold, rain, or snow, and they cannot run away from predators. Consequently, plants have evolved many tactics to deal with environmental pressures right where they are, by adjusting their own growth and development. Plants can sense day length, gravity, time of day, and the color and direction of light. With this information, roots grow down, stems grow up and bend toward the light, and flowers and leaves appear or drop at the right time.
Healing Gardening
Most gardeners recognize that a garden is a place that is good for body, mind and spirit. Did you know that there is science that supports exactly that? In this presentation, Linda Wenzel will focus on how the connection to nature and plants can improve physical, mental and spiritual well-being. Ways to incorporate healing elements in your garden will be explored. Master Gardener Cathy Johnson also helped to create and develop this presentation.
Container Gardening
Do you live in an apartment where your garden is limited to your balcony? Or maybe you have a big deck that would look better with a few plants, or you want to brighten up the sea of concrete in front of your garage. You’d be amazed by what you can grow in containers! In this class Don Feeney will teach you the keys to success with container gardening, including the selection of containers, what you need for soil, water, and fertilizer, and what types of plants do well (most of them) or don’t do well (only a few). He will discuss how to adapt your containers to different conditions, how to keep your pots unbroken and attractive over the years, and some aesthetic considerations for effective design.
11:45 Break
Visit with other gardeners, shop the Garden Marketplace and get your questions answered at the Ask a MG table.
Noon Lunch
Catered by Morning Glory Bakery Cafe in Rosemount, MN. Vegetarian and GF options are available.
1:00 Keynote Speaker
Gardening For Bees and Butterflies
Presented by: Heather Holm
Heather Holm explains the life cycles of bees and butterflies, including where and when they nest, forage and seek shelter and food in our landscapes. Learn about pollination and which native plants are specifically pollinated by bees or butterflies. The top native plant species for different habitats will also be highlighted for both bees and butterflies, including butterfly host plants.
Heather Holm is an award-winning author and nationally sought-after speaker, spending much of her time passionately educating audiences about the fascinating world of native bees and the native plants that support them. Her first book, Pollinators of Native Plants, was published in 2014 and her latest book, Bees, published in 2017, has won six book awards including the 2018 American Horticultural Society Book Award. Heather’s expertise includes the interactions between native bees and native plants, and the natural history and biology of native bees occurring in the upper Midwest and Northeast.
2:00 Silent Auction Winners
Don’t miss out! Silent auction winners will be announced. Must be present to win so stick around.
Registration
Sign-up to get Master Gardener email updates and follow us on facebook. A complete list of sessions and speakers is available for download.
Many thanks to all of the area businesses and supporters of Let’s Get Growing for donating items for our door prizes and silent auction.