Presentations
Naturalistic Garden Design
A rising interest for native plants, pollinator protection, and ecological health has caused a blossoming interest in gardens designed to more closely resemble natural ecosystems. By utilizing principles of plant ecology and landscape design, we can make gardens which are rich with life, beauty, and interest. This engaging session will provide a basic primer on ecological planting design and management. Additionally, we will highlight several plants well-adapted to Minnesota landscapes that are often overlooked and under-utilized by home gardeners.
Great Garden Resources
Whether you're a new or seasoned gardener, we’re always looking for new resources to use in our gardens. Sometimes we can't find what we want locally and seek out new seeds, plants, and tools online. How do you know if a company has a solid reputation with gardeners? Does a particular tool have a good reputation with experienced gardeners? What are the essential tools that Master Gardeners recommend? This talk will share ideas, resources, and considerations to get you ready and confident for the next gardening season.
Getting Kids Interested in Gardening
There are many benefits that come from getting kids interested in gardening. This presentation will explore tips and advice on growing dozens of cool plants children love. It will also provide ideas on several other garden activities and projects to foster an interest in gardening and the outdoors.
Growing Greener: Tips on Sustainable Gardening
Many gardeners are interested in providing beauty in the landscape and food for their homes in a manner that promotes environmental stewardship. Whether it includes providing pollinator resources, growing food organically, or creating a sanctuary for wildlife, gardeners are often leading the charge to promote environmental sustainability. However, some practices we commonly perform may undercut our overall sustainability goals. Issues related to usage of plastics and peat growing media are often overlooked but will be explored in this talk along with potential solutions which offer greater sustainability.
Going "No-till" with Your Garden
Why do we dig? Frequent tilling leads to soil crusting, enhanced erosion, reduced organic matter, degraded soil structure and health. The benefits of tilling a garden are often short-lived and can create more work long term and limit your garden’s potential. Dr. Joe Storlien will cover the benefits of why we should till less and how to begin your no-till garden journey. He will share his experiences with his no-till garden from the past several years including new methods adopted in 2020.
Busting Common Soil & Gardening Myths
Gardeners are always looking for tips and advice to keep their gardens healthy. Is all the advice you hear really based on good science? How do we know which advice is good, which is no good, and which does nothing at all? Join soil scientist, Dr. Joe Storlien, to break down the fact or fiction behind many common soil & gardening myths.
Gardening in Minnesota's Changing Climate
Gardening is risky business, as Mother Nature always seems to throw plenty of obstacles at gardeners each year. As Minnesota’s climate changes, some challenges will be amplified and new challenges will arise. We will discuss some of the basics of Minnesota’s changing climate, how it relates to our gardens, and focus on how to make our gardens resilient against these future challenges.
Soil Fertility for Vegetable Gardeners
Interested in growing fresh, healthy vegetables right in your backyard? It all begins with the soil beneath your feet. This engaging lecture explores the essentials of soil nutrients and fertility, the cornerstone of every successful vegetable garden. Whether you’re new to gardening or already experienced, you’ll gain practical tools and insights to cultivate a sustainable, nutrient-rich garden with abundant harvests.
Soil Basics & Building Soil Health
Soil is the foundation of every garden and landscape, making its health a top priority for gardeners. Nurturing healthy soil leads to stronger plants, higher yields, and more resilient ecosystems. In this session, we’ll explore practical management practices you can use each year to improve and sustain the vitality of the soil in your backyard.
