Dakota Master Gardeners

Dakota County Master Gardeners

Garden-Fresh, Heart Healthy Eating Webinar

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Join us for the webinar “Garden-Fresh, Heart Healthy Eating” presented by our Master Gardener Joy Hayes, Registered Dietitian with the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation on Tuesday, July 7 at 6:30 p.m.

Host Robert Hatlevig is inviting you to the scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: “Garden-Fresh, Hearth Healthy Eating”
Time: Jul 7, 2020 06:30 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4167140096Meeting ID: 416 714 0096

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.

 

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.