Dakota Master Gardeners

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

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.

Many Ways to Ask a Master Gardener

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Our knowledgeable group of Master Gardeners are available at various events and locations to answer your gardening questions, but we also know making it to one of our events can be a challenge with busy summer schedules.  There several great, easy ways to get our expert advice without coming to see us – Ask a Master Gardener!

Research it Yourself – Take advantage of the wealth of information and photos on the Extension’s Garden website.  Included on the site is the What is Wrong with My Plant? tool filled with photos and details to help you narrow down your problem and learn more about what is going on in your yard and garden.

Yard and Garden Line – Contact the Landscape Arboretum’s Yard and Garden Line by phone at 612-301-7590 and follow the instructions to leave a message about your issue or questions and contact information.  A Master Gardener will get back to you within 24 hours with helpful suggestions, resources and information.

Ask An Expert – Fill out an online form on the Extension website  like the one shown below and get an email reply with 48 hours.  The best part about this method is it allows you to upload photos which always make solving garden problems easier.

To speak to a Master Garden in person, bring photos or a sample to our table at local farmers markets or Plant Diagnostic Clinics.  See our Event Calendar for dates, times and locations.

 

Dakota County Master Gardener Spring Plant Sale

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Plan to gather your gardening friends and bring a box or wagon to bring home healthy, Minnesota-grown plants at reasonable prices. Master Gardeners nurture and grow these plants in their own gardens or as part of their research. We enjoy sharing this bounty with you!  A wide variety of sun and shade perennials, natives and woodland plants, grasses, groundcovers, shrubs and other landscape plants will be available, along with annuals, heirloom tomatoes, peppers and other vegetable and fruiting plants. In addition to the wonderful plants for sale, Master Gardeners will also be available to answer your plant questions.

So You Want to Plant a Vegetable Garden

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This class is designed to help you prepare to grow vegetables in your garden. You will learn about the conditions that you should take into consideration as you prepare your garden, including soil quality and light requirements. We will talk about the pros and cons of traditional row gardens vs. square foot gardens vs. straw bale gardens. You will acquire information regarding methods for enhancing your soil to promote plant growth. We will discuss when and where to plant different vegetables and what to consider as you select not only which vegetables to plant but also which cultivars of specific vegetables.

Linda Stein is a Dakota County Master Gardener with a lifetime of experience preparing gardens and growing vegetables in different locations around the Twin Cities.

**Registration required at website listed below.

Spring Plant Sale this Saturday!

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The Dakota County Master Gardener Spring Plant Sale is this Saturday at the Dakota County Fairgrounds in Farmington.  Stop out rain or shine from 9 AM until Noon for a huge selection of plants for sun or shade including annuals, vegetables,  shrubs, perennials and more.  Our Master Gardeners have been busy dividing and potting up hardy plants from their gardens to share with you.  We will also accept any one gallon plastic pots you may wish to recycle.

For more details and list of plants available at the sale, visit our Spring Plant Sale page.  Bring your wagons and see you Saturday!

Square Foot Gardening: Grow Fresh Vegetables!

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Learn the basics of Square Foot Gardening, the practice of planning small, but intensely planted gardens. Understand how to select a proper site, construct a square foot garden, select the correct amount of plants and learn their proper care. Discuss harvesting and methods to extend the growing season. Benefits include less work, water savings, less weeding, pesticide/herbicide free, small space utilization and accessibility.

John Zweber is a certified square foot gardening instructor and a Dakota County Master Gardener. John has been a researcher in vegetable seed trials and has worked with individuals of all ages in demonstrating and instructing the benefits of square foot gardening. He is passionate about this form of gardening and looks forward to sharing his techniques and knowledge with others.

**Registration required at website listed below.